India Cannot Impose Its Will on Pakistan: DPM Ishaq Dar
India must revisit its coercive policies and cannot impose its will on Pakistan, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar while addressing the Foundation Day of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.
Dar strongly condemned India’s alleged use of “false flag operations” — particularly referencing the Pulwama incident — to justify hostility toward Pakistan. He asserted that such tactics undermine peace and regional stability.
Dar’s comments come in the backdrop of rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan, triggering a series of aggressive retaliatory measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), revoking of visas, border closure, and the shutdown of Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s rejection of these accusations, Dar stated:
“India must end its policy of coercion. Peace cannot be imposed through unilateralism.”
On water disputes, the Deputy PM maintained that India cannot unilaterally revoke the IWT, warning that attempts to “weaponise water” would be met with resistance. He welcomed the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling, which validated Pakistan’s position that the treaty remains binding and cannot be suspended unilaterally.
Dar also reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir, calling for its peaceful resolution in line with international laws and United Nations resolutions.
On the global stage, he welcomed the Iran-Israel ceasefire, emphasized dialogue over confrontation regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, and condemned human rights violations in Gaza.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the arbitration court’s supplemental award on the Indus Waters Treaty, commending the legal teams for their efforts.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned of strong consequences if India continues to dishonor the treaty.
“Either the river will flow, or their blood will,” Bilawal had said earlier, highlighting Pakistan’s firm resolve to safeguard its water rights.
