Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab President Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Thursday warned India against attempting to stop Pakistan's share of water, saying any such move would have serious consequences as water was the country's lifeline and could not be blocked under any circumstances.
Press Conference Remarks
Addressing a press conference alongside PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza, Raja Pervaiz said Pakistan had emerged as a peace-loving and responsible state and had played a constructive role in promoting regional peace. He said Pakistan contributed to efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Iran and the United States and facilitating a ceasefire, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Field Marshal had played an important role in the process.
Indus Waters Treaty
Criticising India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, he said New Delhi could not unilaterally suspend the treaty and termed its position legally and diplomatically untenable. He said Pakistan would safeguard its water rights at every cost.
Call for National Unity
The PPP leader said anti-state elements and terrorists were trying to destabilise the country, stressing that all political parties should unite in the national interest to ensure peace and stability. He also urged the media to verify information before publication to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation.
Azad Kashmir Elections
Commenting on the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, Raja Pervaiz said only free, fair and transparent polls could help address the region's issues. He announced that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto would soon visit Azad Kashmir and expressed confidence that the party would secure a convincing victory in the elections. He reiterated that the PPP would never compromise on the Kashmir issue and said refugee seats were a constitutional matter to be decided by the newly elected legislative assembly.
Political Reconciliation
Calling for political reconciliation, Raja Pervaiz said differences among political parties should be resolved through parliament and dialogue. He urged PTI leadership and workers to support the political process and said he opposed banning any political party from participating in elections. Referring to the July 25 PPP public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan, he said preparations were in full swing and party leaders were actively mobilising workers. He also said the local government system was functioning effectively in Sindh and expressed hope that Punjab would also benefit from an empowered local government structure.
Syed Hassan Murtaza's Remarks
Speaking on the occasion, PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza said the party's organisational campaign was continuing across Punjab, while a special election cell had been established for the Azad Kashmir elections. He alleged irregularities in the delimitation process for local government elections and criticised what he termed the growing VIP culture, saying those who once opposed special privileges were now legislating to secure benefits for themselves while the public continued to suffer from inflation and economic hardship. He said the real rule of law required providing relief to the people rather than expanding privileges for those in power.
