President Zardari Says Indus Waters Treaty Cannot Be Unilaterally Suspended
ISLAMABAD, October 7, 2026: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended or rendered ineffective.
He made the remarks at a ceremony held at the Presidency, where he conferred Pakistan’s highest national honour, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, on United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Speaker of the National Assembly also attended the ceremony.
Guterres thanked Pakistan for conferring the prestigious national award on him. President Zardari also met the UN chief and appreciated his efforts for promoting global peace and dialogue.
Addressing the ceremony, President Zardari said water should not be used as a weapon or an instrument of political pressure. He stressed that the unilateral suspension or ineffectiveness of the Indus Waters Treaty was not possible.
The president said lasting peace required the resolution of all longstanding disputes, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
He reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.
President Zardari also said Pakistan continued to face terrorism from militant groups operating from Afghan territory. He stressed that Afghan soil must not be used against Pakistan or any other country.
The president said there was no alternative to dialogue for resolving regional disputes and called for peaceful engagement to address outstanding issues.
