Pakistanis rally against India’s aggressive stance

Hundreds of Pakistanis rallied across the country on Thursday, including in Azad Kashmir, to protest against India’s threats of retaliation following a deadly attack on civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday.

In response, hundreds of Pakistanis gathered near the Wagah border in Lahore, where a rally organized by a religious political party drew about 700 people. Protesters chanted slogans against India and warned of retaliation if tensions escalate. Ajmal Baloch, one of the protesters, challenged India, saying if it wants war, it should come forward openly.

The protests intensified after India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a key agreement for managing shared rivers between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. In Lahore, 25-year-old protester Muhammad Owais declared that water was Pakistan’s right and vowed to reclaim it, even through war if needed.

Similar demonstrations took place in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, where 300 people marched holding placards with anti-India messages. A local leader, Shoukat Javed Mir, stated that Kashmiris would fight alongside the Pakistani army if India attempted aggression.In Quetta, Balochistan’s capital, around 150 people joined a protest to show support for Kashmiris and reject Indian threats.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) held a high-level meeting and warned that any attempt by India to block water flow would be considered an act of war. The NSC also approved closing the Wagah border crossing and announced other strong measures in reaction to India’s aggressive steps. The situation remains tense as both countries increase pressure on each other.