During his address at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit held in Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised alarm over India’s alleged manipulation of shared water resources, calling it a serious threat to regional stability and security.
Commending Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for successfully hosting the summit, the Prime Minister emphasized that India’s actions, particularly after tensions in occupied Kashmir, reflect recklessness aimed at destabilizing peace in South Asia. He noted that Pakistan’s military responded with discipline and professionalism in the face of Indian provocations.
Sharif criticized India for what he described as the “weaponization of water,” citing it as a direct violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. He highlighted that the International Court of Arbitration had already ruled against India’s stance, and declared any attempt to manipulate water supplies as aggression toward Pakistan’s 240 million citizens.
He made it clear that Pakistan will not tolerate such moves and urged the international community to take notice of India’s actions, stating they cannot be allowed to proceed unchecked.
Highlighting broader regional issues, the Prime Minister appreciated Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart for his role as ECO Chair, acknowledging the significance of technological advancement in achieving collective growth. He stressed the importance of adapting to a rapidly changing global landscape, where knowledge-sharing and innovation are vital to sustainable development.
Reflecting on the summit’s theme — building a climate-resilient and sustainable future — Shehbaz Sharif underscored the urgent need for coordinated action. He pointed out that ECO nations, including Pakistan, are already bearing the brunt of environmental crises such as melting glaciers, heatwaves, and destructive floods.
Recalling the catastrophic floods in 2022 that displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan, he said climate change has severely endangered food security, public health, and livelihoods across the region. He called on ECO member states to work together in addressing these pressing challenges.
