Pakistani PM warns India against blocking water flow

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warned India that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty would be met with a decisive response.

“You threaten to stop our water. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget,” the prime minister said while addressing an event here to mark International Youth Day.

His statement comes a day the Court of Arbitration declared that India’s decision to suspended the Indus Waters Treaty was illegal, in a massive blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

He said water was a lifeline for Pakistan and there would be no compromise on the country’s rights under international agreements.

The prime minister claimed a “new Pakistan” had emerged after the armed forces defeated India on May 10. He said India’s “pride was sunk” on that day when the Pakistan Air Force downed six Indian fighter jets, calling it a historic moment for the country.

Shehbaz announced that 100,000 laptops would be distributed to students interest-free and purely on merit. “This government believes in transparency and merit, and we will ensure both in the distribution process,” he said.

Also read: Pakistan won’t let India cross Indus Waters Treaty red line: PM

He reaffirmed that the country’s future lay in the hands of its youth and reiterated his government’s commitment to empowering them through education and technology.

During his address, the prime minister congratulated the nation on Independence Day and praised the role of minorities and all segments of society in the creation and development of Pakistan.

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government was taking effective measures to protect minorities, adding that all citizens had equal rights under the Constitution. “To ensure representation, the government has formulated a policy to promote interfaith harmony. Under this policy, minorities will be granted a 5% quota in jobs,” he said.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs Khel Das Kohistani said Islam respects all religions and Pakistan’s Constitution protects the rights of all citizens regardless of faith. “The prime minister is taking the country forward in line with the vision of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.

Chairman PM Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Khan said Pakistan’s first youth policy was introduced in 2011 by Shehbaz Sharif when he was the Punjab chief minister. Under the initiative, laptops, soft loans and scholarships were provided to talented students across the province.

He said the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) had now evolved into the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, benefiting students nationwide. “Every child in Pakistan can benefit from this initiative,” he said.