Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a strong warning over the future of the Indus River system, saying any attempt to stop, restrict or divert Pakistan’s allocated share of the waters would be treated by Islamabad as an “act of war.”

The statement was made during the Prime Minister’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. His remarks placed the long-running dispute over the Indus waters at the centre of Pakistan’s broader foreign-policy message on regional security and relations with India.

Shehbaz Sharif said water should not be used as a political or strategic instrument and argued that rivers should serve as a source of sustenance and development rather than confrontation between neighbouring countries.

The Prime Minister also referred to the Indus Waters Treaty and maintained that the agreement remains legally binding. He criticised India’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance, arguing that Pakistan considers the treaty fully operative and continues to support its implementation according to its provisions.

The water dispute has become increasingly sensitive in South Asia because the Indus river system is crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture, drinking-water supplies and wider economy. Several rivers covered by the treaty originate in or pass through territories under Indian control before flowing into Pakistan.

During his UN address, Shehbaz Sharif connected the water issue with the wider need to prevent another serious confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He said South Asia should not return to a situation in which military escalation could threaten regional stability.

The Prime Minister also discussed the Kashmir dispute, arguing that a lasting settlement was necessary for durable peace in South Asia. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should be given the right to determine their political future.

Beyond relations with India, Shehbaz Sharif used his UN speech to outline Pakistan’s position on several international issues. He called for diplomatic efforts to address conflicts and stressed the importance of dialogue and international cooperation.

The Pakistani leader also spoke about developments in the Middle East and expressed support for Saudi Arabia following attacks that he condemned. He said the security of the holy sites in Saudi Arabia was a matter of particular importance for Pakistan.

He further described the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab as critical routes for the global economy and called for them to remain open and free from confrontation.

The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s role in diplomatic efforts involving regional conflicts and said Islamabad had sought dialogue rather than escalation. He also discussed Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, Iran and other countries involved in efforts to reduce regional tensions.

On Afghanistan, Shehbaz Sharif raised concerns about militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory. He called on Afghan authorities to take action to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s economic priorities also featured in the address. The Prime Minister said his government was working on agriculture, industry, mineral development, digitalisation and technology while seeking greater international investment and cooperation.

Climate change was another major subject. Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan contributes a relatively small share of global greenhouse-gas emissions but remains highly vulnerable to floods, extreme weather and other climate-related impacts. He called on developed countries to provide climate finance and support for adaptation and resilience.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the situation in Gaza and expressed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On the international system, he called for reform of the United Nations Security Council and argued that developing countries should have a stronger voice in global decision-making.

His remarks on the Indus waters are likely to remain a significant part of Pakistan’s diplomatic messaging as the two countries continue to disagree over the interpretation and implementation of water arrangements.

The latest warning does not itself change the legal status of the treaty or determine how future disputes will be resolved. Any disagreement over treaty obligations, water flows or infrastructure projects would continue to involve diplomatic, legal and technical processes.

For Pakistan, however, the issue has become closely linked with national security and regional stability. The government’s position is that its share of the river system must remain protected, while the wider dispute remains part of the complicated relationship between Islamabad and New Delhi.