Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said Indus Water Treaty is the most unfair document to people of Jammu and Kashmir and lauded the Kashmir tourism industry for showing true grit and not greed after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
The CM today convened a detailed interaction with business stakeholders from Kashmir’s tourism, travel, and trade sectors at SKICC, Srinagar.
The meeting commenced with a minute of silence in memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.
The interaction was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretaries of Industries & Commerce and Tourism, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, senior police officials, and other concerned officers.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “We collectively condemn the Pahalgam terror incident, mourn the loss of 26 innocent lives, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”
He noted pain of meeting the victims’ families—many of whom were visiting Kashmir on their honeymoon or family vacation. “As the Tourism Minister myself, I found it extremely difficult to meet their families. I was at a loss for words”.
Highlighting the collective outrage and unity across the Valley in wake of the attack, Omar said this unified response sends a powerful, silent message to those who seek to sow fear and division.
He commended the business community for taking a principled stand, saying, “You’ve clearly said this act was not in our name—neither have we ever supported such violence, nor will we ever in the future.”
The CM assured that all constructive suggestions offered during the meeting would be seriously considered to help prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
He lauded the tourism and business stakeholders for not focusing on financial losses or seeking compensation, saying, “Business will come and go. Right now, our primary concern is to express our grief and stand in solidarity with those affected by this senseless attack.”
He said discussions on economic impact can take place later, once the immediate pain of the tragedy has been addressed.
Referring to the two-minute silence observed at Jamia Masjid Srinagar earlier today, the Chief Minister called it “a strong and dignified response” to the propaganda peddled by some news channels against Kashmiris.
He paid special tribute to Syed Adil Hussain, a local who lost his life while trying to save tourists during the attack, calling him a “symbol of Kashmiri hospitality.” Omar Abdullah assured that his government would take steps to honour his memory and support his family.
The CM also expressed strong disapproval over the Indus Water Treaty, which was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960.
“The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J&K,” he said.
On Wednesday, India decided to halt the 1960 water-sharing pact, a day after terrorists killed 25 tourists and one local in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960 by then-PM Jawaharlal Nehru and the then-Pakistan president Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan. Under the treaty’s provisions, while India was granted unrestricted access to the water from the ‘Eastern Rivers’ — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — Pakistan retained rights to the water from the ‘Western Rivers,’ including the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.