Pakistan warns India against blocking river flows, says move would have serious consequences

Pakistan warned India on Thursday that any attempt to block or divert river waters flowing into the country would violate international law and carry serious consequences.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made the warning at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, saying Pakistan was closely monitoring water flows from upstream regions. "Pakistan's rights over its waters are inalienable," he said.

What is Pakistan's warning to India over river water?

Pakistan has warned that any move to halt or divert water flows from shared rivers would be considered a violation of international law. Andrabi described any such action as highly irresponsible and said it would have serious repercussions. Islamabad said it is actively monitoring water levels from Indian-administered Kashmir and upstream areas.

The warning came against the backdrop of India's suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and reported plans to restrict cross-border river flows. India's water minister has said the country is working to ensure "not a single drop" flows into Pakistan, according to reports. Pakistan has described the move as a weaponization of water that threatens millions of farmers in Punjab and Sindh who depend on Indus basin irrigation.

What did Pakistan say about India's nuclear capabilities?

Andrabi referenced a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report on India's nuclear arsenal, saying its findings were unsurprising to Pakistan. He said open-source information suggested India's deployed nuclear capabilities could exceed what the report outlined. Islamabad, he added, closely monitors developments in India's missile systems, nuclear-powered submarines and strategic arsenal, though Pakistan does not seek an arms race in South Asia.

The Foreign Office also rejected recent Indian remarks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir, calling them baseless. Andrabi reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains a disputed territory under international law and must be resolved through UN Security Council resolutions guaranteeing the right of self-determination. He said matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir were being handled within Pakistan's constitutional and democratic framework.

What is Pakistan's position on the Balochistan Liberation Army?

Andrabi noted that the BLA has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and several European countries.

Asked about discussions involving the group at the UN Security Council, he described procedural issues around veto use as "technical in nature." Pakistan has consistently pressed for broader international recognition of the BLA as a proscribed group.

What updates did Pakistan give on the Middle East and Somali hostages?

On the Middle East, Andrabi welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as a positive development facilitated by the United States, while expressing concern over broader regional tensions.

He confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday focused on regional peace and security. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also recently conveyed a message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Iranian authorities in Tehran, though Andrabi declined to disclose its contents.

Separately, the Foreign Office confirmed that a group of Pakistani nationals had been held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly 50 days, with diplomatic efforts ongoing. Dar has spoken directly with his Somali counterpart, and Pakistan has summoned Somalia's ambassador and held inter-ministerial meetings to coordinate its response.

"The issue is highly complex and requires patience," Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan remains in contact with Somali authorities, local tribal leaders and the vessel's owner.