'Our red line': Shehbaz Sharif threatens India with 'direct response' over Indus Water Treaty

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned India of a "direct response" if the nation continues to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This threat comes in the wake of India's unilateral suspension of the historic treaty, which occurred following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.

Sharif, speaking at an event on the eve of Pakistan's Independence Day, accused India of behaving as an "enemy of peace" by unilaterally and illegally suspending the IWT. He declared that every single drop of Pakistan's water is their red line and reiterated that there will be no compromise on the water issue. If India does not change its ways, Sharif promised a direct response from Pakistan.

The military conflict between the two countries ended on May 10 after Islamabad sought a ceasefire following India's air strikes on multiple Pakistani air bases. The conflict began after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack. New Delhi has maintained that the treaty conditions have fundamentally changed and that it will remain in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in September 1960, divides the water resources of the Indus River system among India and Pakistan.