PM Warns India Against Water Blockage Attempts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted on Tuesday that any endeavor by India to impede Pakistan’s water supply, thereby contravening the Indus Waters Treaty, would be met with a robust and “decisive response”.

“If you threaten to halt our water flow and proceed with such actions, Pakistan will impart a lesson that will remain unforgettable,” the prime minister stated during his address at an International Youth Day event.

He underscored the critical importance of water as Pakistan’s lifeline, affirming that the nation would not concede on its rights as stipulated under international agreements.

The prime minister commented that a “new Pakistan” has risen following the triumph of the armed forces on May 10.

He noted that India’s pride suffered a blow on May 10 when the Pakistan Air Force successfully downed six Indian fighter aircraft, celebrating it as a momentous occasion for Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz revealed plans to allocate 100,000 laptops to students on a merit basis, free of interest.

“This administration champions transparency and meritocracy, ensuring both principles are upheld throughout the distribution process.”

The prime minister highlighted that the country’s destiny rests on its youth, reiterating his government’s dedication to empowering them via education and technology.

During his speech, PM Shehbaz extended Independence Day felicitations to the nation and lauded the contributions of minorities and various societal segments to Pakistan’s establishment and progress.

Concurrently, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, conveyed that the government is implementing effective measures to safeguard minorities.

He affirmed that all citizens are entitled to equal rights under the Constitution, adding that “To promote inclusivity, the government has devised a policy to foster interfaith harmony, earmarking a 5% job quota for minorities”.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs Khel Das Kohistani remarked that Islam respects all faiths, and Pakistan’s Constitution safeguards the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their religious affiliation. “The prime minister is guiding the country forward in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he stated.

Chairman of the PM Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Khan, recalled that Pakistan’s inaugural youth policy was launched in 2011 by the then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This initiative involved the provision of laptops, soft loans, and scholarships to promising students across the province.