In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attacks that left 26 Indian tourists dead, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made an impassioned call for a neutral, transparent, and credible investigation. Speaking at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Sharif's address prominently centered around the Indus Water Treaty and the escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.

During his speech, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that water is a vital national interest for Pakistan. He warned that any attempt to stop, reduce, or divert Pakistan’s share of water under the Indus Water Treaty would be "responded to with full force and might". His comments come just days after India announced the suspension of the historic Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, citing Islamabad’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attacks.

Sharif emphasized Pakistan's readiness to engage in a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident, positioning Pakistan as a responsible nation willing to cooperate internationally. Citing significant losses endured by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism — with over 90,000 casualties and economic damage exceeding USD 600 billion — Sharif argued that Islamabad should not be hastily blamed without proof.

He accused India of using the terror attack as a pretext to suspend the treaty and escalate tensions without credible evidence. "India is trying to punish Pakistan without any proof, without any investigation," Sharif said, according to reports by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper.

Sharif’s remarks also reflect growing frustration within Pakistan over what they view as unilateral moves by India in the wake of the terror attack. Meanwhile, ties between the two countries continue to spiral downward.

A day before Sharif's speech, a major controversy erupted when Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted in a viral interview with Sky News that Pakistan had historically funded, supported, and trained terrorist groups. This shocking revelation has added fuel to India's accusations against Pakistan regarding its role in fostering terrorism across the region.

Asif, when asked directly by journalist Yalda Hakim if Pakistan admitted to its support for terrorist organisations, responded affirmatively, a moment that has severely embarrassed Islamabad on the international stage.

Following the terror attack and ensuing diplomatic fallout:

• India suspended the Indus Water Treaty.

• All Pakistani nationals in India were asked to return to Pakistan.

• Indian authorities designated Pakistani military advisors in New Delhi as persona non grata.

• In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, shut the Wagah border, halted all trade with India, and announced a review of the Simla Agreement, the foundation of post-1971 Indo-Pak relations.

The Indus Water Treaty, brokered in 1960 under the aegis of the World Bank, has long been seen as a cornerstone of peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Its suspension signals the deepening of a crisis that could have severe implications for regional stability.

Water resources in South Asia are already under stress due to climate change and increasing population pressures. In this volatile context, any disruption in river-sharing agreements can potentially ignite broader conflicts. Sharif's strong remarks on defending Pakistan’s water rights underscore the seriousness with which Islamabad is approaching the treaty's suspension.

Meanwhile, diplomatic channels between New Delhi and Islamabad remain largely frozen. Both sides have hardened their positions, with little sign of de-escalation.

Analysts believe that unless an international mediation effort is launched or both nations step back from their hardline stances, the Pahalgam attacks could mark the beginning of a prolonged diplomatic, economic, and strategic standoff.

In conclusion, Shehbaz Sharif's appeal for a neutral investigation coupled with his stern warning on water rights encapsulates the twin prongs of Pakistan’s current diplomatic strategy: seeking to deflect international blame over terrorism charges while asserting vital national interests. However, with India taking firm countermeasures and international opinion largely skeptical of Pakistan’s denials given Khawaja Asif’s admission, Islamabad’s position remains precarious.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the two countries inch back from the brink or descend further into a dangerous cycle of confrontation.

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