India rubbishes Pak claim that Uri was staged

New Delhi: In an “absurd” accusation, Pakistan said India “staged” the September 18 Uri terror attack to serve its “tactical and propaganda objectives”. The attack on the Indian Army base has all the hallmarks of an operation to divert attention from India’s atrocities in J& K, Pakistan alleged. India rubbished the claim and asked Pakistan to explain how safe terror havens continue to exist in that country despite Islamabad receiving billions in counter- terror aid.

Pakistan warned India that unilateral revocation of the 56- year- old Indus Waters Treaty would be treated as an “act of war”, saying it could also approach the UN and the International Court of Justice if the water- sharing pact is suspended.

“It is the most successful water treaty ever conducted between two countries. Its revocation can be treated as an act of war or a hostile action against Pakistan,” the country’s top diplomat Sartaj Aziz said.

Pakistan will also approach the UN and the International Court of Justice if India suspends the treaty, he said.

He said that India cannot alternate or revoke the Indus Water Treaty unilaterally.

He said if India tried to violate the treaty, there will be a befitting reaction from Pakistan. “Pakistan is gaining support of international community on the issue,” he added.

Mr Aziz further informed the House that Pakistan was considering to brief P- 5 countries and international community about the dangers of suspending the water distribution pact. He

Pakistan is gaining support of international community on the issue. The international law states that India cannot unilaterally separate itself from the treaty.

— Sartaz Aziz, Pak diplomat

said the treaty was not suspended even during wars between the two countries.

He added that the provocative statements and actions from Indian leadership on Indus Water Treaty were violation of international laws and breach of water treaty.

“The international law states that India cannot unilaterally separate itself from the treaty,” Mr Aziz, advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, said while briefing the National Assembly on the issue.

He said unilateral revocation of the treaty can pose a threat to Pakistan and its economy warning that any interruption in the water flow would serve as an example to usurp the right of lower riparian states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a review meeting of the Indus Water Treaty during which it was decided that India will “exploit to the maximum” the water of Pakistan- controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per the water- sharing pact.

The meeting came as India weighed its options to hit back at Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack that left 18 soldiers dead, triggering demands that the government scrap the water- sharing deal to mount pressure on the country.

Under the treaty, which was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960, waters of six rivers — Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — were to be shared between the two countries.

Pakistan has been complaining about not receiving enough water and gone for international arbitration in a couple of cases.