KARACHI: Protests were held in several universities across the city on Monday to condemn India’s hostility and provocative actions threatening regional peace in the wake of a recent deadly attack in India-held Kashmir.

The rallies led by administrative officials and participated by faculty members and students echoed by slogans, such as ‘Pakistan Zindabad,’ ‘India, Back Off,’ and ‘Long Live the Pakistan Army’.

The protesters described India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as an act of war, while urging the international community to take notice of the situation.

“India’s irresponsible actions pose a serious threat not only to Pakistan but to the regional peace. The Indus Waters Treaty is an internationally recognised agreement, and India cannot unilaterally suspend it,” Karachi University Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said, while speaking to the media at a rally organised on the university campus.

The rally, which started from the KU’s administrative building, concluded at Azadi Chowk.

At a protest meeting at Hamdard University, Prof Asadullah Larik, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, pointed out that representatives of most countries at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the issue of Pahalgam attack didn’t agree with the proposals presented by the Indian officials.

“For the last more than 75 years, the Indian authorities have been blaming Pakistani governments for whatever bad happens in their country. And most often they don’t offer any proof of Pakistani involvement in such episodes,” said Prof Larik.

At Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Vice Chancellor Dr Mujeeb Sahrai led a protest rally, which commenced from the main building of the university and ended near its IT Tower.

Addressing the participants, Dr Sahrai stated that India itself was carrying out state terrorism in India-held Kashmir and killing innocent Kashmiris daily. “Pakistan is a victim of terrorism. The world knows India’s hypocrisy. We demand that the international community must condemn India’s suspension of the treaty.”

He supported the government’s call for an independent inquiry. “It should be conducted by an international team. India’s water blackmailing is an act of hostility and restricting water of Pakistan is an act of war. We fully support our government and the armed forces,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2025