Nawaz Sharif: Revoking Indus Water Treaty will be taken as act of war

Border Security Force soldiers patrol in the Chenab river near the India-Pakistan border. Pics/PTI,AFP

Islamabad: Pakistan will approach the UN and the International Court of Justice if India suspends the 56-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, the country's top diplomat Sartaj Aziz said yesterday, insisting the revocation of the treaty can be taken as an "act of war".

Sartaj Aziz

"The international law states that India cannot unilaterally separate itself from the treaty," Aziz, advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs, said while briefing the National Assembly on the issue. He said unilateral revocation of the treaty could pose a threat to Pakistan and its economy. He said that if India violates the treaty, Pakistan can approach the International Court of Justice.

He said Pakistan is considering to draw attention of the international community on the dangers of such an action if it is considered seriously. "Between the two countries, this act of revocation can be taken as an act of war," he said.

‘Fully prepared to respond'
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army yesterday said it was closely watching the Indian border and was "fully prepared to respond" to any kind of situation. "We are closely monitoring the developments on the eastern border and we are fully prepared to respond," military spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said after a security meeting in Peshawar. The meeting headed by Army chief General Raheel Sharif reviewed the security at the border with Afghanistan.