Pakistan’s foreign affairs adviser to prime minister, Sartaj Aziz said that the treaty was not suspended even during the Kargil and the Siachen wars.. (AP Photo)
As India reviews Indus Waters treaty to put pressure on Pakistan after the Uri terror attack, Pakistan on Tuesday said that its neighbour cannot unilaterally separate itself from the agreement and insisted that revocation of the treaty can be taken as an “act of war”.
“The international law states that India cannot unilaterally separate itself from the treaty,” Aziz, Advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs, said while briefing the National Assembly on the issue.
WATCH: Indus Waters Treaty: India Cannot Unilaterally Separate Itself From Treaty Says Pakistan
He said unilateral revocation of the treaty can pose a threat to Pakistan and its economy. He said that if India violates the treaty Pakistan can approach the International Court of Justice.
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“This Indian act can be taken as breach of international peace and hence giving Pakistan a good reason to approach the UN Security Council,” Aziz said.
He said Pakistan is considering to draw attention of the international community on the dangers of such an action if it is considered seriously.
“Between the two countries, this act of revocation can be taken as an act of war,” he said, adding that the treaty was not suspended even during the Kargil and the Siachen wars.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said at a meeting over Indus Waters Treaty that water and blood cannot flow together at the same time. At the meeting, it was decided that India will “exploit to the maximum” the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per the water sharing pact.
Held amidst heightened tension between the India and Pakistan, the meeting also decided to set up a inter- ministerial task forces to go into the details and working of the Treaty with a “sense of urgency”, senior government sources said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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