Islamabad, May 5, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly condemned India’s weaponization of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an “unacceptable act” and a red line for the people of Pakistan.
He made these remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who is visiting Islamabad for official talks. The two sides discussed regional developments and bilateral cooperation in a warm and cordial atmosphere.
Expressing deep concern over escalating tensions in South Asia following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Prime Minister Sharif rejected India’s baseless accusations linking Pakistan to the incident.
“Pakistan has acted with responsibility and maturity, offering an impartial, transparent, and internationally monitored investigation into the Pahalgam attack to establish the facts,” the prime minister said. “In contrast, India has opted for media sensationalism to distract global attention from the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which remains the primary source of instability in the region.”
The Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that India’s misuse of the Indus Waters Treaty as a political tool represents a grave escalation that Pakistan will not accept under any circumstances.
At the beginning of the meeting, the prime minister offered sincere condolences to the Iranian people over the tragic explosion in Bandar Abbas, which resulted in significant loss of life and left many injured. He prayed for the victims and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Prime Minister Sharif also conveyed warm greetings to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, underscoring Pakistan’s deep-rooted fraternal ties with Iran. He noted with satisfaction the growing momentum in bilateral engagement and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, border security, and regional connectivity.
He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with Iran in promoting peace, stability, and development across the region.
Foreign Minister Araghchi, in turn, conveyed warm regards from the Iranian leadership and reiterated Iran’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Pakistan. He assured Iran’s continued support for regional peace efforts and extended President Pezeshkian’s invitation for Prime Minister Shehbaz to undertake an official visit to Tehran later this year.
