Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said Indus Waters Treaty is issue of life and death for Pakistanis and its unilateral suspension is illegal.

" Indus Waters Treaty is means of peace and stability in the region. Implementation of settled international agreements is incumbent on the respective respondents. They can not be suspended or revoked unilaterally. Pakistan wants peace, however, it cannot allow to use water as weapon, he said this while speaking at the launch of special report titled 'Weaponizing Waters: Historical, Legal, and Strategic Dimensions of IWT Suspension' at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.

Appreciating launching of report by the Institute of Strategic Studies he said being Pakistanis we are proud of our connection with old civilization of Indus valley.

Water is directly connected with agriculture, economy and life of people of Pakistan.

He said international agreements cannot be suspended or revoked unilaterally.

Indus Waters Treaty can neither be suspended nor be held in abeyance.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly stated that the Indus Waters Treaty is lifeblood of our people and the region, emphasizing that any attempt to usurp this right will be treated as an act of war.

International court of arbitration has given decision in favor of Pakistan.

Pakistan has rendered sacrifices of thousands of lives in war on terror and has suffered financial loss of billions of dollars.

Eastern neighbor of Pakistan has been leveling baseless allegations of cross the border interference. On the basis of these allegations announcement was made to hold Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

Pakistan is desirous of peace but using water as political or war weapon cannot be allowed.

Continuation of Indus Waters Treaty is vital for peace, stability and cooperation in the region, he added.