Former Union Minister MJ Akbar stated on August 14, 2026, that Islamabad must first answer for every drop of Indian blood lost in terror attacks before raising concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty. Speaking from Panaji, Goa, Akbar responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Independence Day remarks regarding water rights and regional security.
Indus Waters Treaty Stance and Accountability
According to MJ Akbar, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised concerns on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, calling every drop of Pakistan’s water a “red line” and warning of a “direct response” if New Delhi did not alter its course regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. Sharif accused India of acting as an “enemy of peace.”
In response, Akbar emphasized India’s position, stating that “blood and water will not flow together.” He maintained that India seeks accountability for every single drop of Indian blood lost to terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. New Delhi previously placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting on April 23, 2025, following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. India asserted at the time that the conditions under which the treaty was negotiated had fundamentally changed and would remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
Internal Instability and Criticism of Islamabad
Alongside the water dispute, Akbar invoked remarks by Pakistani political leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to question Islamabad’s governance and control over its territory. According to Akbar, Rehman stated that more than 80 percent of Balochistan is outside the control and governance of Islamabad, describing the region as virtually independent and free.
Akbar further stated that Pakistan is the only government that bombs its own territory, pointing to strikes in Balochistan. Human Rights Defender and Baloch Activist Zara Baloch reported that more than 20 civilians, including children, were killed in a strike by Pakistani forces. Akbar characterized Pakistan as a “jelly state” that is crumbling internally, adding that its deepening instability and internal challenges have overshadowed its rhetoric against India.
Regional Context and Future Outlook
Sharif’s remarks arrive amid persistent political and security challenges across Pakistan. Militant violence remains an issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Balochistan continues to see unrest and allegations of human rights violations. Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir has likewise faced protests, political tensions, and allegations of excessive use of force. Meanwhile, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan remains imprisoned, with supporters and family raising ongoing concerns regarding his access to legal, medical, and family visits.
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