Pakistan will strike if India attempts to block Indus River: Kh Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan would strike if India builds any structure on the Indus River in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. 

Talking to a private TV Channel on Friday, the defence minister said: "Certainly, if they attempt to build any kind of structure, we will strike it.” He said that building any structure on the Indus River by violating the Indus Water Treaty would be seen as Indian aggression against Pakistan.

Kh Asif said aggression was not just about firing cannons or bullets, it has many faces. He said blocking or diverting water, could lead to deaths due to hunger and thirst.

The defence minister said, “If they make any architectural attempt, then Pakistan will destroy that structure.” “But for now, we are heading to forums available to us, starting from the IWT [Indus Waters Treaty]. We will pursue this matter.”

The minister was of the view that it would not be easy for New Delhi to violate the IWT, adding that Islamabad would approach the concerned stakeholders over the unilateral suspension of the IWT by the Indian government.

The defence minister slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over “staging the drama” for political gains in the backdrop of the upcoming elections. 

Responding to a question, the minister said that global pressure on India has increased more than ever. “I will not say yet that the threat has been averted,” he added.

The minister elaborated that New Delhi failed to get the global support it had expected, adding that the Modi-led government could not present evidence in support of its false claims. Asif further said that the international community rejected Modi’s allegations against Pakistan.