Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, cautioned on Tuesday that any attempt by India to divert rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty would be treated as an act of war.
Speaking during a televised interview, Sanaullah emphasized that a mere suspension of the treaty carries no practical significance as long as Pakistan continues to receive its allocated water. However, he firmly stated that any Indian move to block or redirect the flow of rivers would be interpreted as a declaration of war.
His remarks come amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, following India’s reported intent to unilaterally alter aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty. The agreement, established in 1960 with World Bank mediation, governs the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan.
Sanaullah also addressed India’s handling of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, alleging that New Delhi failed to provide credible evidence or engage in sincere dialogue with Islamabad.
In a significant development, the adviser disclosed that Pakistan has formally proposed the establishment of an independent commission to jointly investigate terror incidents occurring in both countries. He stated that the idea of a neutral investigative body has been communicated to Indian officials.
This warning comes at a time of heightened military tension following recent escalations in May 2025, which saw cross-border strikes and the downing of five Indian fighter jets after a missile attack on six Pakistani targets.
Experts have warned that any attempt to tamper with the water-sharing framework could dangerously escalate the situation, threatening peace and stability in South Asia. The Indus Waters Treaty has long served as a rare model of cooperation between India and Pakistan, and any unilateral breach could have far-reaching consequences for regional security.
