GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan will not compromise on the Indus River, accusing India of attempting to use the Indus Waters Treaty as a political and strategic weapon.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Advocate, Bilawal said Pakistan was not prepared to make any deal over the Indus River.
“We are not ready to bargain over the Indus. If we have to fight for it, we will fight,” he said, adding that there would be no compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty.
Bilawal Bhutto said India was attempting to use the Indus Waters Treaty as a weapon against Pakistan. He maintained that Pakistan would respond firmly to any move threatening its water rights.
The PPP chairman said the country would resist what he described as Indian interference and attempts to destabilise Pakistan.
He also accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of seeking to use Afghanistan as a route for interference inside Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Bilawal said Pakistan was aware of such alleged efforts and would prevent them from succeeding.
Bilawal Bhutto said political disagreements within Pakistan would continue, but the country remained united when it came to defending national interests and rights.
He also claimed that Pakistan’s armed forces had inflicted a major defeat on India during conflict and said New Delhi had not been able to accept the outcome.
The PPP chairman further alleged that India had adopted what he called an “Israeli model” in its regional approach.
Turning to Gilgit-Baltistan, Bilawal announced that local government elections would be held before winter.
He thanked the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party for supporting the PPP and said his party would work with allies, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, to address public issues.
Bilawal added that his party was also ready to cooperate with the opposition in the interest of public service.
The PPP chairman said no one would be allowed to undermine the public mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He pledged to work for employment opportunities, land rights and better representation for the people of the region.
Bilawal said the government carried a major responsibility to fulfil its promises and expressed hope that Gilgit-Baltistan would one day have direct representation in the National Assembly.
Bilawal Bhutto also called for constitutional rights for Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He said people in both regions were no longer willing to continue under outdated arrangements and stressed the need for political and constitutional reforms.
The PPP chairman also criticised political parties that had decided not to participate in elections, describing the decision as unfortunate.
He concluded by paying tribute to the sacrifices of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and reaffirming his party’s commitment to their rights.
