Karachi: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh on Thursday announced province-wide protest rallies under the slogan “Marsoon Marsoon, Sindhu Na Desoon” (“We will die, but we will not surrender the Indus”) to oppose what it describes as India’s “water aggression.”
The announcement was made by PPP Sindh President, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in a statement issued here. He said that, following the call of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, protest rallies would be held across all district headquarters in Sindh on Sunday (July 12).
He directed all district chapters of the party to organize large-scale demonstrations against what he termed an attempt to deprive Pakistan of its water resources and to ensure strong public participation.
Khuhro said the Indus River and its waters were essential for Pakistan’s survival and livelihood, adding that the no attempt would be allowed to undermine the country’s water rights.
Criticizing India, he said its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty constituted a violation of international agreements. He maintained that India could not unilaterally terminate or suspend the treaty, as its purpose is to ensure the equitable distribution of water resources and prevent water-related disputes.
Khuhro recalled that the Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, with the World Bank acting as a guarantor and mediator. The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s then-President Ayub Khan and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Under the treaty, Pakistan received rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while India was allocated the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. He added that Pakistan was granted full rights to utilize the western rivers and that a Permanent Indus Commission was established to resolve disputes, with provisions for international arbitration if required.
Khuhro further claimed that the International Court of Arbitration has also declared India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty to be unlawful. He warned that using water as a political weapon would threaten regional peace, emphasizing that millions of people depend on the Indus River for their survival.
He said Pakistan’s water rights were protected under an international treaty rather than being a concession, adding that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water poses a threat to the country’s existence. He reaffirmed PPP Sindh’s commitment to defending the Indus River and vowed to raise the issue at every available forum.