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Monday, 19 May, 2025 I 21 Ziquad, 1446
Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 312 I 44 Pages I Islamabad Edition
INDIA WILL FACE ‘CONSEQUENCES’ FOR DECADES IF IT BLOCKS PAKISTAN’S WATER: DG ISPR
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MILITARY SPOKESPERSON SAYS PEACE IS THE FIRST CHOICE OF PAKISTANI PEOPLE AND INT’L COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THIS SPIRIT
INDIA IS THE MAIN SPONSOR AND ABETTOR OF TERRORISM IN THE REGION, ESPECIALLY IN PAKISTAN, FUNDING FITNA AL KHWARIJ AND BALOCH TERRORIST GROUPS: DG
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PAKISTAN COMMITTED TO USBROKERED CEASEFIRE AFTER RECENT CROSS-BORDER STRIKES
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RAWALPINDI
WARNS OF A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR RENEWED CONFLICT IF THE CORE ISSUE, KASHMIR, REMAINS UNADDRESSED
STAFF REPORT
IEUTENANT General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has warned that any Indian attempt to follow through on recent threats to stop Pakistan’s share of the Indus River water system would trigger consequences lasting for generations. During an interview with RT Arabic, Lt-Gen Chaudhry when was asked what will be Pakistan's reaction if India stops Pakistan's water, stated, “I think the government of Pakistan has made it absolutely clear. There is nothing more for the army to say. I can only say that it is some mad man who can think that he can stop water of 240 million plus people of this country. Dare not, cannot. You want me to explain those actions. I hope that time doesn’t come, but it will be such action that the world will see and the consequences of that will be felt for years and decades to come. Nobody dare stop water of Pakistan.” “It is some madman who can think that he can stop water of 240 million plus people of this country.” India unilaterally announced suspension of the decades-old the Indus Water treaty – the water-sharing agreement be-
tween the two nuclear-armed neighbors, last month, after blaming Pakistan for a deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam, a tourist resort in Indian-occupied Kashmir — Islamabad denied any involvement. The incident was followed by days of cross-border fire as India launched on May 6 a series of strikes across the Line of Control — the de facto border that separates the Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled parts of the disputed Kashmir territory. It also hit other sites on the Pakistani mainland, targeting what it claimed were militant positions. Pakistan retaliated with strikes on Indian military targets before a US-bro-
kered ceasefire took effect on May 10. Despite the ceasefire, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this week that his country would stop the water from flowing — a move Pakistan has earlier said was a direct threat to its survival and an act of war. Brokered by the World Bank, the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty has withstood multiple Indian-Pakistani wars. If India weaponizes water and blocks the flow of an Indus River tributary — vital to Pakistan’s food security — its military says it will act. During the interview with R T Arabic, Lt-Gen Chaudhry pointed out that
Pakistan to extend airspace ban for India amid continued tensions ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan is positioning itself as a key regional transit hub linking South and Central Asia, said Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan during the Russia-Islamic World Kazan Forum in Tatarstan’s capital. Aleem highlighted Gwadar Port’s operational status and Pakistan’s strategic intent to offer Central Asia direct access to warm waters. He noted that the $633 million Mazar-i-Sharif–Kohat railway
link is part of broader connectivity plans linking Karachi, Quetta, and Gwadar to Central Asia and Europe. He lauded the Kazan Forum as a platform for regional integration and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening trade, infrastructure, and cultural ties. Addressing a session on cultural dialogue, Aleem emphasized Pakistan’s rich heritage and backed cultural exchanges with Russia and Central Asian states as a step toward peace and cooperation. He stressed that preserving cultural identity and encouraging dialogue could foster a
more harmonious global society. On the sidelines, Aleem met with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, to explore shipping and logistics cooperation. Discussions included potential UAE investment in Pakistan’s M6, M9, and N-25 highways. Aleem noted that Pakistan is streamlining toll collection by mandating M-Tag use on highways and is actively upgrading its infrastructure to boost cross-border trade and economic growth.
and initially imposed the restriction until May 23. Officials said the decision to extend the closure will be formalised with a new Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued before the current one expires. Under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, airspace cannot be closed for more than a month at once, necessitating a renewal. Tensions between the nucleararmed neighbours escalated earlier this month following military strikes that lasted over three days. During a
National Security Committee meeting, Pakistan cited India’s “frivolous measures” as justification for the closure, which applies to both civilian and military flights. The airspace restrictions are significantly affecting Indian aviation, with hundreds of daily flights disrupted, resulting in longer routes, increased fuel costs, and mid-journey refuelling stops. Pakistan, which has fewer eastbound operations, faces minimal disruption in comparison.
Sunday that Dar will visit Beijing from May 19 to May 21 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two leaders are scheduled to hold comprehensive discussions on the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its broader implications for peace and stability. “The two sides will also review the entire spectrum of PakistanChina bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” the FO said, adding the visit was part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China. The visit will also include a review of the full range of bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, along with an exchange of views on international and regional develop-
ments. Officials said the trip is part of ongoing high-level engagements aimed at reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries. On May 20, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will also arrive in China to take part in the sixth round of the trilateral meeting with both countries. The session is expected to focus on regional security cooperation and political coordination. China recently reaffirmed its support for Pakistan during the conflict with India, with its ambassador in Islamabad calling the bilateral relationship one of “ironclad brothers.” Pakistan’s military launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in response to Indian airstrikes, targeting military sites across the Line of Control.
Pakistan eyes regional trade gateway role, says Aleem at Kazan Forum ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan is expected to extend its airspace closure for Indian aircraft by another month, with a formal announcement likely in the coming days, sources confirmed on Sunday. The move follows India’s April 23 decision to shut its airspace to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. Pakistan reciprocated the next day
Dar embarks on China visit for talks on regional tensions, trilateral meeting today ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will embark on a three-day official visit to China from Monday (tomorrow) to discuss with the Chinese leadership the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday. The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions following the recent military confrontation between Pakistan and India, and the subsequent ceasefire brokered by US President Trump and other friendly countries. The Foreign Office announced on
India tried to deter Pakistanis, but it forgot that it could not do this to the people and armed forces of Pakistan. He said the world saw how the entire Pakistani nation stood like a Bunyanum Marsoos, an iron wall, against the Indian aggression. “India cannot deter, coerce or make Pakistanis bow down through aggression.” The ISPR DG said that peace is the first choice of the Pakistani people and the international community understands this spirit of the Pakistani nation. He said that India was the main sponsor and abettor of terrorism in the region, especially in Pakistan, as it was funding Fitna al Khwarij and terrorist groups operating in Balochistan. He said that Indian policy of sponsoring terrorism is the main cause of tension with Pakistan. Instead of acknowledging and dealing with this fact, he said, India hides behind its false narrative of terrorism and hubristically acts as a judge, jury and executioner. He said that India blamed Pakistan without any evidence said after the Pahalgam incident. He said Pakistan had a categorical stance and asked India to provide evidence to any neutral body for probe and "we are ready to cooperate with it". But instead of opting for that rational approach, India unilaterally decided to attack mosques and innocent civilians in Pakistan.
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One killed, 11 injured as hail-windstorm hit parts of Punjab KP
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A child was killed and 11 people were injured as rain, hailstorms and windstorms lashed parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday, rescue officials said. Though the storm subsided the sizzling temperature, it caused widespread damage to property. According to the NDMA, the storm hit Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and adjacent districts in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and Punjab’s Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Murree districts as well as the federal capital of Islamabad. Sporadic rainfall was witnessed in these areas as several trees were uprooted, roofs caved in and walls of some homes collapsed because of strong gusts of winds. “So far, one child lost their life and 11 people have been injured in Nowshera and Charsadda,” Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the KP Rescue 1122 service, said, adding that rescue teams were busy clearing affected areas. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) earlier warned citizens of temporary disruptions in power supply, cautioning citizens of potential hazards. “Stay away from trees, billboards, and unsecured structures that could collapse,” it said. “Park vehicles in safe, covered areas and avoid unnecessary movement during storms.” Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.