Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that any attempt to undermine Pakistan's rights over its waters carries consequences that extend far beyond a bilateral disagreement.

He was delivering a keynote address through a video link at the "International Water Symposium", organised by Pakistan in Austria in collaboration with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna today.

The Deputy Prime Minister said water security is inseparable from food security, economic security and, ultimately, national security, as water is fundamental to human survival, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

He said for countries sharing transboundary river systems, geography creates permanent interdependence, and the question is whether shared waters will be governed through cooperation and agreed legal frameworks or become instruments of political pressure and confrontation.

Ishaq Dar said the Indus River system has sustained civilisations for thousands of years, from the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation to the communities and agricultural economies that flourish along its banks today.

He said it is the lifeline of Pakistan, sustaining the lives and livelihoods of more than 250 million Pakistanis.

He said Pakistan remains committed to dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and believes that cooperation over shared waters is indispensable to regional peace, economic development and environmental sustainability.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan believes in cooperation over coercion, dialogue over confrontation and the rule of law over unilateralism.

He said at the same time, there should be no misunderstanding about Pakistan's resolve to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests under the Treaty and international law.

He warned that any attempt to deprive Pakistan of the waters rightfully allocated to it would have serious implications for regional peace and security.

The Deputy Prime Minister condemned India's weaponisation of water, and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

He highlighted the Court of Arbitration's Award, which affirmed that the IWT remains in force and that its treaty obligations must be observed.

Emphasising that shared rivers must serve peace and cooperation, not coercion, Ishaq Dar underscored Pakistan's commitment to the Treaty, dialogue, and cooperation.

He stressed that Pakistan would defend its rights under the IWT.

He underscored the crucial role of the international community in upholding international law and treaty obligations and rejecting the weaponisation of water.