In the wake of India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari responded with strong rhetoric during a public rally in Sukkur on Friday.
Zardari’s speech, addressing the crowd, criticized India’s decision, vowing that Pakistanis would stand united against Indian aggression over the Indus River. He stated, “The brave people of Sukkur have sent a clear message by participating in the rally that we will not allow anyone to bargain over the Indus… The Modi government is unilaterally suspending the Indus Water Treaty… but I want to stand by the Indus River in Sukkur and give a clear message to India that the Indus River is ours and will remain ours, either our water will flow from this Indus or your blood.”
His comments followed India’s announcement to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a response to the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 people, including several tourists. India also imposed diplomatic measures such as closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, and demanding the return of Pakistani diplomats.
Zardari’s speech was seen as an attempt to rally domestic sentiment, yet many critics have dismissed his response as mere rhetoric, lacking substantial action. The incident comes amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif, admitted on international television that Pakistan had supported and funded terrorist groups in the past.
In response to the terror attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the terrorists responsible would face severe consequences. He declared that India would take decisive steps to eliminate the remaining terror networks and break the backbone of terrorism, sending a strong message to Pakistan and its proxies.
