By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan voiced grave concern over what it termed India’s “unilateral and abrupt” manipulation of the River Chenab’s water flow, warning that any weaponization of water would threaten regional stability, while also pushing back against reported international pressure — particularly from the United States — to contribute troops to a proposed Gaza peace force.

Islamabad further highlighted alleged involvement of India’s intelligence agency RAW in global disinformation and security incidents, and reiterated serious reservations about the security situation in Afghanistan, echoing concerns raised at a recent news conference by Afghan political figure Tahir Hassan Andarabi.

Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ weekly briefing, spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said Pakistan had observed sudden and unexplained variations in the flow of the River Chenab between December 7 and 15, which she described as “extremely alarming.”

According to the Foreign Office, the changes appeared to indicate a unilateral release of water by India without prior notification or data sharing, in violation of procedures laid down under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner has formally written to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification, the spokesperson said, stressing that any such manipulation at a critical stage of Pakistan’s agricultural cycle directly endangered food security, livelihoods and the broader economy.

“The Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement and an instrument of peace and stability in the region,” she added, warning that its violation would undermine international law and threaten regional peace.

Islamabad urged the international community to take note of what it called India’s continued disregard for treaty obligations and cautioned that Pakistan would not compromise on its “existential water rights.”

While Pakistan remains committed to peaceful dispute resolution, the spokesperson said, all options under the treaty — including Article 9 dispute-settlement mechanisms — remain available should the situation escalate.

Beyond water tensions with India, Pakistan also addressed growing speculation about its possible participation in an International Security Force (ISF) for Gaza, amid reports of diplomatic pressure from Washington and other capitals.

The Foreign Office clarified that no decision has been taken, and that Pakistan has not received any formal request to deploy troops.

“The discussion on the International Security Force is ongoing in certain capitals, but Pakistan has not committed to participation,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing that Islamabad’s primary focus remains humanitarian relief, diplomatic engagement and upholding international law.

Pakistan, alongside several Muslim-majority countries, recently issued a joint statement condemning Israeli forces for storming the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem and underscoring the agency’s indispensable role in alleviating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

The statement reaffirmed that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated under international law and an October 2025 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice not to impede UNRWA’s operations.

Pakistan also called for sustained international funding and political space for the agency, while resisting any moves that could further militarize the already volatile situation in Gaza.

On the issue of disinformation and covert operations, the Foreign Office alleged that India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been involved in spreading false narratives and may have links to violent incidents abroad. Referring to recent misinformation following a deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, the spokesperson said Indian media outlets rushed to malign Pakistan by falsely attributing the attack to a Pakistani individual — claims later proven wrong.

“The pattern of disinformation is not new,” she said, adding that initial false reports were amplified by certain Israeli and Afghan social media handlers. “Such campaigns only erode the credibility of those spreading them.” While investigations into specific incidents rest with host countries, Islamabad said it would not rule out RAW’s involvement in destabilizing activities beyond South Asia.

Pakistan also reiterated deep concern over Afghanistan, particularly the continued presence of militant groups on Afghan soil. Citing the latest UN Security Council report, the spokesperson said the findings validated Pakistan’s long-standing position that groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate from within Afghanistan with varying degrees of support from elements of the Taliban regime.

Islamabad said it remains open to dialogue with Kabul through formal diplomatic channels and regional mechanisms, including talks hosted by Iran, but emphasized that goodwill gestures such as ceasefire understandings had not been reciprocated. Terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil, the spokesperson said, effectively amounted to violations of those understandings.