'Our blood has been sucked': J&K CM Omar hits back at Pak PM Shehbaz over IWT

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned on Friday that Pakistan would take action to safeguard its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, stating "every single drop" of its water is a "red line" and India must change its stance or face a "direct response". Reacting to the remarks, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said the treaty has been suspended and should remain so.

He stated that India has "sucked the blood" out of the rivers of Jammu and Kashmir and that the rivers are "ours, we have the first right on them". The CM criticized Pakistan for "disappearing sympathy" when it comes to water issues, particularly in light of the fact that India took away three of their six rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty.

Under the treaty, signed in 1960, India controls the eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, while Pakistan controls the western rivers Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. The treaty has prevented Jammu and Kashmir from extracting drinking water from the Chenab or using the Jhelum for irrigation or to build a barrage at Tulbul. Omar Abdullah called for the cancellation of the treaty to allow proper use of the water resources.