Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday that India was trying to hold Pakistan hostage through ‘water terrorism’ by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. He added that Pakistan will not compromise on the sovereignty of its people.

The foreign minister made the remarks while speaking at the 52nd anniversary of the creation of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.

“India cannot impose its will on Pakistan and must reconsider its policies,” Dar said.

He added that India was using water as a weapon but Pakistan would fight for what it considered the lifeline of its 240 million population.

“India wants to use water as a weapon, but Pakistan stands firm in protecting its interests,” he said.

The foreign minister also said that lasting peace in the region was impossible without a lasting resolution to the Kashmir issue. He added that Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir was principled and that it would continue moral and diplomatic support for the right of Kashmiri people to self-determination.