'Water is Pakistan's red line': Pak army chief Asim Munir says will not compromise on 'basic right of 240 million'

Referring to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), Pakistan Army chief, General Asim Munir, on Thursday described it as a "red line" for his country and declared that Islamabad would "never compromise" on the water issue.

Munir made the remarks while talking to vice-chancellors of different universities, principals, and senior teachers and educators, according to the army.

“Water is Pakistan's red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million (24 crore) Pakistanis,” he said, speaking about India's move to keep the IWT in abeyance following last month's Pahalgam terrorist attack .

Pakistani leaders have repeatedly threatened India over New Delhi's suspension of the Indus treaty. Signed in September 1960, the agreement stands suspended for the first time.

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Tensions between the two rivals soared after the April 22 attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 men in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The victims included 25 tourists and a local.

India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. It was followed by Pakistan’s attempt to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.

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The on-ground hostilities ended on May 10 with an understanding of stopping the military actions after Pakistan's director general of military operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart urging cessation of hostilities.

(With PTI inputs)