Pakistan’s water is red line, PM Shehbaz warns India

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Victory Monument in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted peace rather than war, but its desire

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that Pakistan will respond directly if India fails to change course, declaring that every drop of the country’s water is a “red line.”

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Victory Monument in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted peace rather than war, but its desire for peace should never be mistaken for weakness. He said the country was committed to pursuing peace with dignity while remaining prepared to protect its sovereignty and national interests.

Shehbaz Sharif described the Victory Monument as a symbol of the courage, determination and professional capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces. He said the monument also paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the country and honoured the armed forces personnel who demonstrated exceptional bravery.

The prime minister congratulated the nation on what he described as a historic victory in the May 2025 conflict and praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership. He said Pakistan’s response had strengthened the country’s standing and sent a clear message that any future challenge to its sovereignty or security would be met with a stronger response.

Referring to India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Shehbaz Sharif accused New Delhi of undermining regional peace. He warned that Pakistan’s water resources were a matter of national security and reiterated that the country would take direct action if India continued on its current course.

The prime minister said the monument represented a milestone in Pakistan’s broader journey towards becoming a prosperous, stable and welfare-oriented state. He stressed the need to combine national defence with economic development, technological advancement and investment in human resources.

Highlighting the growing importance of information technology and artificial intelligence, Shehbaz said Pakistan must prepare its younger generation for a rapidly changing global environment. He pledged that the government would provide maximum possible support for innovation, technology and skills development.

On foreign policy, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted a region free from conflicts and supported resolving disputes through justice and the principles of the United Nations. He highlighted Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran and praised Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts towards promoting peace in the Middle East.

Shehbaz also referred to the emerging trilateral defence cooperation involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, describing it as a positive development for regional stability and a message of peace for the wider Muslim world.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari jointly inaugurated the Victory Monument in Islamabad, attended by senior civil and military officials.