Daijiworld Media Network- Islamabad

Islamabad, Aug 13: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has escalated tensions with India, declaring that Islamabad will not allow New Delhi to take “even one drop” of water belonging to Pakistan. His remarks came amid renewed pressure from Pakistan on India to restore the Indus Waters Treaty, which New Delhi has kept in abeyance since May.

Speaking at an event in Islamabad on International Youth Day, Sharif said, “If you threaten to hold our water, keep in mind that you cannot snatch even one drop from Pakistan. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget.”

Calling the Indus waters the “lifeblood” of Pakistan, the premier stressed there would be “no compromise” on his country’s rights under international accords.

His warning followed a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office urging India to “immediately resume” the treaty’s normal functioning and fulfil its obligations “wholly and faithfully.”

The hardline rhetoric comes after PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto on Sunday accused India of causing “great damage” by suspending the treaty and called on Pakistanis to unite against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir had made an alarming statement during a US visit, threatening nuclear retaliation and warning of taking down “half the world” in a future war with India.

India suspended the treaty following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, accusing Pakistan of supporting the perpetrators. Signed in 1960 under World Bank mediation, the treaty grants India full rights over the Beas, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers, while Pakistan controls the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

New Delhi is now moving ahead with its largest hydroelectric project — an 1,856 MW plant on the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir — without seeking Pakistan’s no-objection certificate, as required under the treaty.

India has also strongly condemned Munir’s nuclear remarks, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling it “Pakistan’s stock-in-trade” and expressing regret that such threats were made on the soil of a friendly third country.