India’s unannounced water discharge threatens regional stability: Pakistan

Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned India’s sudden and unannounced release of water into shared rivers as an act of water aggression, warning that violations of the Indus Waters Treaty pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi expressed grave concern over India’s failure to provide prior notification before releasing water, calling it a clear breach of the landmark water-sharing agreement between the two countries. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the FO spokesperson urged the international community to take serious notice of repeated violations of the treaty, including the recent sudden discharge of water into the Chenab River.

Andarabi said that an unusual fluctuation in the Chenab River’s water level was recorded on December 7, raising alarm in Pakistan over the potential risks associated with unannounced water releases. The spokesperson stressed that unilateral actions concerning shared rivers were unacceptable under the treaty framework and warned that such actions could undermine peace and stability in the region.

Andrabi said Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner has formally sought clarification from India regarding river flow manipulation under the Indus Waters Treaty. He warned that any interference with river flows during critical agricultural periods threatens food security and livelihoods, stressing that Pakistan will not allow water to be weaponised in violation of international law.

The spokesperson also raised concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in India, stating that minority communities continued to face discriminatory practices. He also condemned the forcible removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab by the Chief Minister of India’s Bihar state, calling it a humiliating act that reflects a broader pattern of discrimination against religious minorities under Hindutva-driven politics. He called on the Indian government to fulfil its constitutional and international obligations by ensuring the protection of minority religious rights.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi rejected a Reuters report regarding a purported visit by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) to the United States, saying the information was incorrect and not based on any verified sources. Andrabi said no confirmed details regarding such a visit were available and described the report as factually inaccurate. 

He also clarified that Pakistan has not taken any sovereign decision regarding participation in a ceasefire force in Gaza or the deployment of troops there, adding that diplomatic consultations are continuing in various global capitals as Palestine remains a core issue for the OIC, the Islamic world, and the UN Security Council.

Responding to the latest UN Security Council report, Andrabi said it validates Pakistan’s position that the presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

The spokesperson said Pakistan had dispatched a humanitarian aid convoy for the Afghan people, but that Afghan Taliban authorities were not prepared to receive it. He added that official communication channels with Kabul remain open and suggested that dialogue could have taken place had Afghan representatives been sent to Tehran.

Commenting on foreign relations, Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was positive. He dismissed reports of delays in the meeting as propaganda circulated by Indian news agencies, noting that social media posts carrying the claim were later removed.

Andrabi expressed concern over reports of private-sector investment in India’s nuclear sector, citing India’s past nuclear safety record and incidents involving theft of nuclear material. He also condemned the continued suspension of the SAARC process from India and reiterated Pakistan’s support for regional connectivity and cooperation.

The spokesperson rejected reports published by The Jerusalem Post regarding the Bondi Beach incident, stating that investigations into any involvement of India’s intelligence agency RAW fall under the jurisdiction of Australian authorities. He described RAW as operating in a rogue manner in several parts of the world.

Addressing bilateral ties, Andrabi said defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continues under an existing bilateral defence agreement.

LIVE: Spokesperson's Weekly Press Briefing 18-12-2025 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/ZNYiD2yU4J

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 18, 2025

Reporter: Anwer Abbas