Pakistan Army Spokesman Echoes Hafiz Saeed in Threat Over Indus Waters
On April 23, 2025, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, a move triggered by Islamabad’s continued support for cross-border terrorism. The suspension came a day after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, mostly Hindu pilgrims, were killed in a brutal assault claimed to have ISI backing.
The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the distribution of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two nations. Despite multiple wars and decades of hostility, the treaty had remained a rare example of sustained cooperation—until now.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry Channels Hafiz Saeed
In a controversial and alarming statement, Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry issued an explicit warning to India during a recent public appearance. “If you block our water, we will choke your breath,” he declared, a phrase previously used almost verbatim by Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and globally designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed.
The chilling similarity has raised eyebrows across diplomatic and security circles. Chaudhry, as the face of the Pakistan military’s official narrative, parroting a terrorist’s language, has been viewed by many as a further blurring of lines between the Pakistani military establishment and terrorist proxies.
This marks a troubling shift in the tone of Pakistan’s official response, aligning state rhetoric with extremist threats and signaling potential escalation.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
Chaudhry’s threat has been widely condemned and interpreted as a sign of desperation within Pakistan’s military ranks amid India’s tightening economic and diplomatic pressure. By adopting the lexicon of Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan Army risks further alienating itself on the international stage.
Indian officials have reiterated their position that “blood and water cannot flow together,” and that the suspension of the IWT is a direct consequence of Pakistan’s unwillingness to act against terror groups operating openly within its territory.
The provocation also risks backfiring on Pakistan’s diplomatic credibility as India continues to garner global support for linking water-sharing agreements with anti-terror cooperation.
India’s Measured Response
India has not responded militarily to the threat but continues to stress its right to use its share of waters under the treaty and implement projects on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers without violating international norms. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs termed Pakistan’s threats “unworthy of a responsible state actor.”
Analysts note that India’s strategy of linking water policy with counterterrorism is now gaining formal traction in policy circles, especially after repeated provocations. India has also increased diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries and global powers to explain its rationale for suspending the treaty.
Conclusion
The Pakistan Army spokesperson’s inflammatory statement has only deepened the diplomatic chasm between the two neighbors. By echoing the rhetoric of Hafiz Saeed, a terrorist long shielded by the Pakistani establishment, the military has undermined its own legitimacy and added a dangerous new layer to the ongoing conflict.
As tensions continue to mount, the global community must recognize the volatility of the situation and push for de-escalation. Whether through diplomacy or global pressure, any hope for restoring the Indus Waters Treaty or broader bilateral stability now hinges on Pakistan’s willingness to decisively sever its ties with terrorism.
