Pahalgam Attack a Conspiracy, Indus Waters Treaty Violation Could Spark Conflict: Prof. Soz

Amid growing tensions in South Asia, senior IIOJK political figure has warned that any violation of the Indus Waters Treaty could trigger direct conflict between India and Pakistan—just as he accused the Modi government of orchestrating the Pahalgam attack to deflect international scrutiny.

Srinagar – Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Professor Saifuddin Soz has raised serious concerns over the Indian government’s alleged role in the Pahalgam attack and warned of grave consequences if New Delhi violates the Indus Waters Treaty.

In a sharply worded statement, Prof. Soz asserted that Pakistan has categorically denied any involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam incident, and described the attack as part of a “well-planned conspiracy” by the Indian government under Narendra Modi.

He claimed the Modi administration may have orchestrated the attack to support its narrative of instability in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to defame Pakistan in the international arena.

Shifting his focus to regional stability, Prof. Soz issued a stern warning that any attempt by India to tamper with the Indus Waters Treaty—a key bilateral water-sharing agreement signed in 1960—could escalate into open conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

He explained that diverting Pakistan’s share of water would not only devastate agricultural and drinking water resources in Pakistan, but also inundate large portions of Indian Punjab and IIOJK due to the complex hydrology of the region.

“Water is a lifeline for Pakistan, essential for both irrigation and human consumption. Any effort to cut off or manipulate its supply could provoke a dangerous reaction,” Soz warned.

He urged New Delhi to exercise restraint and uphold its international commitments, cautioning that any unilateral move against the treaty could spark a chain of events with dire implications for regional peace.

“The international community is closely observing these developments,” he added, hinting that global diplomatic pressure could mount if India chooses to violate long-standing agreements that ensure water security in South Asia.

Professor Soz’s remarks come amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam incident, and a broader crackdown on dissent in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. His statements have amplified growing concerns that the Modi government is using conflict and fear narratives to tighten control over the region and marginalize voices of dissent.

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has survived multiple wars between India and Pakistan. However, recent threats by Indian officials to “review” or “reconsider” the treaty have raised alarm bells across the region and beyond.

Therefore, Soz appealed for peace and dialogue but emphasized that provocative actions—particularly involving water resources—could prove catastrophic for both countries.