In a powerful message to New Delhi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that India cannot stop Pakistan’s water, asserting that water is the “lifeline” for 240 million Pakistanis and any attempt to block it would be seen as an act of hostility.
His comments came during a significant trilateral summit in the city of Lachin, Azerbaijan, attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
“We are a nation that depends on our rivers, our water, for our agriculture, our people, and our future. India cannot stop Pakistan’s water—not now, not ever,” the Prime Minister said firmly. He emphasized that despite rising tensions with India, Pakistan has shown restraint and responsibility, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, where India hastily blamed Pakistan without any credible evidence.
Read More: Pakistan supports Iran’s peaceful nuclear program: PM Shehbaz
“Instead of pursuing dialogue, India chose aggression. We offered transparent investigations, but they refused. It’s clear their intentions were never about truth but provocation,” he added.
The Prime Minister also praised Pakistan’s enduring ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan, saying the three countries share deep religious, cultural, and historical bonds. “In times of crisis, true friends stand with you. Pakistan is fortunate to have Turkey and Azerbaijan as trusted allies,” he said, referring to their unwavering support during regional conflicts and diplomatic standoffs.
Also Read: PM Shehbaz, Erdogan pledge to boost Pakistan-Turkiye strategic partnership
President Ilham Aliyev, during his address, strongly condemned the recent India-Pakistan tensions, stating, “What happens between India and Pakistan affects the entire region. Azerbaijan supports Pakistan’s stance on peaceful resolution and stands shoulder to shoulder with its brothers in Islamabad.”
He recalled how Turkey and Pakistan supported Azerbaijan during its 2020 war with Armenia, and now the three countries are exploring joint ventures worth $2 billion in the defense and investment sectors. “There are broad prospects for defense cooperation, and we are committed to strengthening our trilateral alliance,” Aliyev said.
On the sidelines of the summit, Azerbaijan celebrated its Independence Day, a moment marked by a joint appearance from the three leaders. PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the people of Azerbaijan and drew a symbolic connection with Pakistan’s Youm-e-Takbeer, celebrated on May 28—the day Pakistan became a nuclear power.
Know More: India will now think 100 times before attacking Pakistan again: PM Shehbaz
“Today is a day of pride for both our nations. Pakistan and Azerbaijan have both faced great odds and emerged stronger. We salute our martyrs and our history of resistance,” Shehbaz said during the event.
He further revealed that India launched a cross-border assault on May 7, targeting unarmed civilians, followed by attacks on Pakistani airports on May 9. “I told Field Marshal Asim Munir: We cannot remain silent. At 4:30 AM, our forces struck back, targeting Indian military installations. We downed five of their jets, including their expensive Rafale aircraft,” he stated with resolve.
Calling out India’s military spending spree, Shehbaz pointed out, “While India has spent billions on arms, it continues to escalate regional instability. But let the world know—we recently defeated an enemy five times our size. This is the spirit of Pakistan.”
In conclusion, the Prime Minister reiterated his call for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue under the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions, while firmly warning against any attempts to weaponize water.
“Water is a basic human right, not a bargaining chip. Let me say it again—India cannot stop Pakistan’s water. We are united, and we are prepared to defend every drop.”
