Omar Abdullah criticised Pakistan for claiming rights over regional water resources, stating that the country cannot selectively express sympathy for Kashmiris.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday launched an attack on Islamabad for staking a claim over waters originating from the region, asserting that the neighbouring country cannot be selective in its sympathy for Kashmiris. Accusing Pakistan of “sucking blood” by denying J&K the right to use its river resources, Abdullah maintained that the people have historically borne the brunt of the water-sharing framework. His remarks came in response to the remarks by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
“We have always been saying that our blood has been sucked – these are our rivers. We had the first right on this. Pakistanis say they are great sympathisers of Kashmiris. But when it comes to water, their sympathy disappears. Where was their sympathy when we were denied permission to use our rivers?” Abdullah told reporters.
VIDEO | Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah on Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks on Indus Waters Treaty, says, “Yes, this is our blood. We have always said that our blood has been drained. This water is ours… these are our rivers, and we had a rightful claim to… pic.twitter.com/zDYHBS1RJt
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2026
‘Our blood has been sucked’: Omar Abdullah
Lashing out at the historical division under the IWT, Abdullah pointed out that out of the six rivers, India retained three belonging to Punjab, while the three rivers of Jammu and Kashmir were handed over to Pakistan, causing long-term detriment to the local population.
“From then until today, we are suffering the consequences of this Indus Waters Treaty. We could neither draw drinking water from the Chenab, nor could we use the Jhelum for navigation by building a barrage on Tulbul, nor could we stop water by building a big dam on any of our rivers,” he said.
Noting that the IWT was kept in abeyance following the terror attack in Pahalgam, the chief minister asserted that the treaty should remain revoked to allow Jammu and Kashmir to utilise its natural resources fully.