Ishaq Dar: India cannot force its will on Pakistan

Ishaq Dar, the foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Pakistan, has stated that India needs to reevaluate its policies and cannot force its will on Pakistan.

Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies’ Foundation Day ceremony in Islamabad, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and sovereignty while cautioning New Delhi against acting unilaterally.

He vehemently denounced India’s use of “false flag operations” to defend its aggression against Pakistan, pointing specifically to the Pulwama incident, which he claimed was a staged story. “India needs to reevaluate its strategic decisions and stop its coercive policy,” Dar said.

When 26 people were killed in an attack in Pahalgam on April 22, tensions between India and Pakistan increased. India attributed the incident to Pakistan. Indian charges have been flatly denied by Pakistan.

The following day, April 23, India launched a hostile offensive, including the suspension of the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the revocation of Pakistani nationals’ visas, the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing, and the order to close the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Read: Arbitration court upholds Pak IWT’s position

Following this, both nations cut back on the number of diplomats working at their embassies on each other’s soil.

In reference to water disputes, Dar claimed that India was trying to use water as a weapon against Pakistan and that it could not unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.

He restated Pakistan’s determination to protect its sovereignty and preserve its territorial integrity.

Regarding the Kashmir issue, the DPM stated that it is a recognized international conflict and that regional stability depends on its peaceful settlement.

He affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the idea of peaceful coexistence while accusing India of flagrantly breaking international law.

Speaking on international issues, Dar praised the Iran-Israel ceasefire and reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding backing for Iran’s rightful position.

He called for dialogue-based resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue and expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning ongoing atrocities in the region.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s Supplemental Award on the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a major vindication of Pakistan’s stance.

Read more: Bilawal warns India about the IWT breach and denounces the US attack on Iran

The decision upheld India’s inability to unilaterally revoke the treaty or its dispute settlement procedures.

In a statement on Sunday, the PM said water is vital for Pakistan and praised Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Awan for their legal efforts.

The court stated that the Treaty remains binding unless terminated by mutual consent and does not allow one-sided suspension by either party.

Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said that Pakistan would consider war if India refused to honour the Indus Waters Treaty.

“India must choose between honouring the treaty or losing control of all six rivers,” Bilawal said, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its share of water under the 1960 World Bank-brokered agreement.

The comments followed an earlier statement made during a political rally in Sukkur, where Bilawal declared, “Either the river will flow or their blood will.”