QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday declared that Pakistan’s water rights are a red line. He warned that no one would be allowed to violate them.
While addressing officers at the Command and Staff College in Quetta, the Prime Minister made his stance clear. “India tried to make water a weapon,” he said. “But we have drawn a red line. Pakistan will never allow its water rights to be violated.”
The statement comes amid growing regional tensions over water distribution and cross-border resources.
Modern Threats Need Modern Defenses
PM Shehbaz said threats to Pakistan are no longer limited to traditional warfare. He emphasized the need to prepare across all domains — military, economic, and cyber.
“Our military, political, and economic institutions must be equally ready,” he stated. “Hybrid warfare, economic sabotage, and propaganda are part of the new battleground.”
Several top officials were present at the event. These included Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Attaullah Tarar also joined, along with Balochistan Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan and DG ISPR Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
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Pakistan Responded to Indian Aggression
The Prime Minister praised the armed forces for their swift and precise response to Indian aggression.
“While India targeted innocent civilians,” he said, “our air force responded with precision strikes on seven high-value targets. We proved our readiness — on land and in the air.”
He condemned India’s propaganda and attempts to politicize attacks like the Pahalgam incident. “Pakistan responded strongly — diplomatically and militarily,” he added.
PM Shehbaz lauded the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar. He credited their strategic foresight for keeping the nation united and prepared.
“Our forces and our people are on the same page. The recent tensions only boosted our morale,” he said.
Focus on Economy and Reforms
The Prime Minister also discussed internal challenges. He said that when he took office, Pakistan was in crisis, but solutions were possible.
“Our focus remains on economic stability, institutional reforms, and counterterrorism,” he said. He stressed zero tolerance for corruption and praised the tough decisions made to curb smuggling.
PM Shehbaz announced plans to introduce blockchain and crypto regulations to modernize the financial system. “We are aligning Pakistan with global trends,” he noted.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong relations with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Qatar, and other Gulf nations.
“These friendships have stood the test of time,” he said. “They supported us in our darkest hours.”