New Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today strongly replied to the comment made by the chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in which the latter commented on India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 innocent people. Notably, Bhutto made inflammatory speech at a public rally in Sindh province’s Sukkur. While he was addressing his supporters, Bhutto said, “The Indus is ours and will remain ours – either our water will flow through it, or their blood.”
Puri gave a strong reply to Bhutto and said, “I heard his statement. Tell him to jump somewhere in water. Well, how will he when there will be no water? Do not dignify such statements. They will get to understand that.” He also said, “The Pahalgam incident is unequivocally a cross-border terrorist attack unleashed by a neighbouring state, and they are taking responsibility. Unlike before, no business will continue.”
He also said that as Prime Minister Modi said, there will be a heavy retaliation against Pakistan and what the Indian government has done so far is just the beginning. The terrorists take away the most fundamental right to life. This is being condemned by the entire world. Pakistan is not just a rogue state, it is a country in terminal decline,” he added.
Best of luck if they can survive: Hardeep Singh Puri
Puri also commented on the Colonel Taimur Rahat’s throat-slitting gesture. Notably, Rahat is the Pakistan Army and Air Advisor at the Pakistan High Commission in London. Puri said that the terrorism has been sponsored by a state and it is time they paid a price. He indirectly referred to Pakistan and said that he wishes them best of luck if they can survive the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. Notably, India has retaliated against Pakistan after the terror attack by implementing several stringent measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing the integrated check point at the Attari border.
In reply, Pakistan suspended the Simla Agreement, suspended all trade activities, closed its airspace for Indian airlines among other steps. Also, it warned India that any attempt to divert Indus River waters destined for Pakistan would be considered an “act of war”.
