ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday warned that Pakistan would not allow India to violate the internationally recognised Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling such actions an act of aggression against 240 million people.

Addressing the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, the prime minister accused India of “weaponising water”, citing New Delhi’s violations of the IWT and a recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

“This violation is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people. India’s actions amount to aggression,” he said, stressing that under no circumstances would Pakistan allow India to pursue this dangerous path.

Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the premier said the unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in held Kashmir was yet another attempt to destabilise regional peace.

Slams Israeli barbarism in Gaza; highlights his govt’s climate resilience efforts

“The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,” PM Shehbaz added.

He also appreciated the support and solidarity extended to Pakistan by the brotherly ECO member states in the aftermath of Indian aggression earlier this year.

He also strongly condemned Israel’s barbarism in Gaza. “Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrated barbaric acts against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza or [occupied Kashmir] or Iran,” he said.

He went on to condemn Israel’s recent strike on Iran, calling it “unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for”, and expressed deep condolences to the Iranian people. “Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression… We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran.”

On climate challenges, the prime minister urged deeper collaboration among ECO member states to address the worsening impact of climate change and geopolitical instability.

“These challenges threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,” he said, recalling the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people in the country.

He said that several lives were tragically lost in the affected districts of Pakistan just last week. “Pakistan on its part has undertaken a series of climate-related policy initiatives and is aggressively pursuing the ‘4F’ plan focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he added.

Pakistan, he said, has proposed the development of low-emission corridors and a regional disaster resilience system. “A dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance, along with regional clean energy corridors and eco-tourism initiatives, can drive inclusive, sustainable growth, create green jobs, especially for youth and women, and support livelihoods.”

On the economic front, PM Shehbaz emphasised the need to operationalise long-pending agreements under ECO Vision 2025, especially the ECO Trade Agreement and transport corridors, connecting member states.

He cited ECO’s origins as the Regional Cooperation for Development, a partnership between Pakistan, Iran and Turkiye in the 1960s, as a historic blueprint for present-day integration.

“Promotion of trade and investment is key to achieving common goals of regional connectivity, energy security and economic growth,” he said.

The prime minister thanked ECO member states for designating Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, inviting all delegates to experience Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.

“Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, will enthral all who visit us. We extend a warm invitation to all member states,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025