Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned on Friday that the armament of India water represents a “new and alarming trend” in its hostility towards Pakistan, calling it as an aggression which should not be tolerated in any case.
Addressing the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Azerbaijan, the first first condemned the recent actions of India following its military escalation earlier this year.
He thanked the member states of the Ecos for having been in solidarity with Pakistan in the midst of the aggressive stages of New Delhi, in particular the unilateral suspension of the Industry Water Treaty, Diplomatic Decalsements and border closures.
Tensions jumped after India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the April 22 attack in Pahalgam which left 26 dead – an allegation of Islamabad categorically rejected as foundation.
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The crisis culminated at the beginning of May, when missiles hit the cities through Punjab and Azad Jammu and Cashmire, which led dozens of civilian victims. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, hitting Indian military facilities. A commercial cease-fire in the United States was announced on May 10.
Stressing the regional impact of actions of India, the Prime Minister criticized the New Delhi’s challenge with regard to the Indus Water Treaty Mediated by the World Bank and its contempt for a decision of the Permanent Arbitration Court, qualifying the two unacceptable acts.
“The Indus waters are the life buoy for the 240 million people in Pakistan,” he said. “In no case can India be authorized to continue this dangerous path, which would constitute an act of aggression against the people of Pakistan.”
With regard to economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz underlined the need to improve trade and investment to stimulate regional connectivity. He noted that the eco trade agreement agreed at the 13th eco summit in Islamabad in 2017, remains without implementation despite the passage of considerable time.
He also discussed the devastating impact of climate change, citing the floods of 2022 which affected more than 33 million people, destroyed infrastructure and caused economic losses over $ 30 billion.
The Prime Minister has urged regional collaboration to combat climate risks, offering low-emission transport corridors, a regional carbon market platform and disaster resilience systems.
He also called a dedicated framework to mobilize climate financing, develop clean energy corridors and promote ecotourism for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Sentenceing the recent Israeli strikes on Iran and continuous violence in Gaza, Prime Minister Shehbaz described both as threats to regional peace.
Reiterating the Pakistan firm posts against violence and oppression in the world, he said: “We are united against those who commit barbaric acts against the innocent-whether in Gaza, India illegally occupied Jammu-et-Cachemire (Iiojk) or Iran,” he said.
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– Government of Pakistan (@govtofpakistan) July 4, 2025
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for welcoming the summit to Khankendi and recognized the efforts of the ECO Secretariat to advance regional cooperation.
He also thanked the people and the government of Azerbaijan for their warm hospitality and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his appreciation so that Lahore was appointed the capital of the Ecos Tourisme for 2027, extending an invitation to all the Member States to visit the cultural heart of Pakistan. He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for being selected for 2028 and 2029, respectively.
Also read: PM arrives in Azerbaijan for the 17th Eco summit
The Prime Minister approved the strategic objective cooperation of Uzbekistan 2035, urging member states to unite in the world and to channel collective efforts towards economic prosperity and peace.
“Let us unite to face global challenges, direct our energies to the future and guarantee the progress and prosperity of our people,” he said.
Created in 1985 by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, the organization of economic cooperation has since extended to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The block of 10 members aims to promote economic, technical and cultural collaboration through Central and South Asia and the Middle East.
