Islamabad: Pakistan has termed India's decision to illegally and unilaterally suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty as a grave violation of international law, including human rights law, the treaty law, and customary international law.

According to Radio Pakistan, these remarks were made by Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, at the Arria Formula meeting on Protecting Water in Armed Conflict convened by Slovenia.

The Deputy Permanent Representative strongly condemned India's unlawful announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance and called upon India to strictly abide by its legal obligations and refrain from stopping, diverting, or restricting rivers that are a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan will never accept any such moves.

Referring to the regional and inter-state conflicts, including attacks against freshwater resources and related infrastructure, Ambassador Jadoon emphasized three significant points.

Firstly, he highlighted that international law, including human rights law and International Humanitarian Law, clearly prohibits attacks on water resources and related infrastructure. He noted that denying access to these resources violates established norms and UNSC resolutions.

Secondly, he underscored the obligations of the parties, stating that all parties in a conflict are bound by International Humanitarian Law and must avoid actions with severe humanitarian consequences.

Usman Jadoon also warned against using water as a weapon in conflict or for political gains, arguing that doing so threatens regional peace and security, especially when millions rely on water for survival. He expressed regret that one country, exhibiting malevolent designs, has chosen to weaponize water in addition to using it as a bargaining chip.