LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab President and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday said Pakistan would safeguard its water resources at all costs, warning that any attempt by India to block the country’s share of water would have serious consequences.
Addressing a press conference alongside PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza, Ashraf described water as Pakistan’s lifeline and said the country would not allow any violation of its water rights under any circumstances.
Criticising India’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, he said New Delhi could not unilaterally suspend the agreement, adding that such a position lacked legal basis and had not been supported by international judicial forums.
Ashraf said Pakistan has earned recognition as a responsible and peace-loving nation, highlighting its efforts to promote regional peace and stability. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for playing an important role in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Iran and the United States.
The former prime minister urged political parties to unite against terrorism and anti-state elements, saying national stability and peace should remain above political differences.
He also called on the media to verify information before publication to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation.
Commenting on the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Ashraf said only free, fair and transparent polls could help address the region’s challenges. He announced that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would soon visit AJK and reaffirmed the party’s longstanding commitment to the Kashmir cause.
Expressing confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, Ashraf said the PPP expected to secure a decisive victory in the AJK elections, adding that constitutional issues, including refugee seats, should be resolved by the newly elected legislative assembly.
Referring to recent tensions with India, he alleged that New Delhi was attempting to create instability following what he described as its “May 10 defeat,” and urged the nation to remember the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces and martyrs in safeguarding the country.
On domestic politics, Ashraf said political disagreements were a normal part of democracy but should be resolved through parliamentary dialogue. He called for a comprehensive political dialogue involving all political stakeholders and urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to support negotiations rather than obstruct them.
He also clarified that he opposed banning any political party from participating in elections or the democratic process, while noting that cabinet reshuffles fall within the constitutional authority of the prime minister.
Ashraf further demanded a transparent and impartial investigation into the alleged kidnapping of foreign women and announced that preparations were underway for the PPP’s public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on July 25.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza said the party’s organisational restructuring campaign was continuing, with further changes expected in several districts. He added that a dedicated election cell had been established for the AJK elections and workers’ conventions were being organised across Punjab to mobilise party supporters.
Murtaza also criticised what he described as the growing VIP culture, saying those who had once opposed special privileges were now seeking benefits for themselves while ordinary citizens continued to face inflation and economic hardship.
