Omar Abdullah, Mufti Clash Over Tulbul Project Revival Amid IWT Suspension

A heated exchange erupted between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti over Abdullah’s call to revive the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project on Wullar Lake, following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The spat escalated into personal attacks, with Abdullah accusing Mufti of lowering the discourse to a “gutter” level.

Abdullah, in a Thursday X post, suggested resuming the Tulbul project, stalled since the 1980s due to Pakistan’s objections under the IWT. “It will allow us to use the Jhelum for navigation [and] improve power generation,” he wrote.

Also Read: #BREAKING: "What The Hell Happened to Ceasefire?" Omar Abdullah Shows Video of Incoming Drones in Srinagar

Mufti countered on Friday, calling the proposal “irresponsible” and “dangerously provocative” amid India-Pakistan tensions. “Weaponising… water is inhumane,” she posted, urging peace for J&K.

Abdullah retorted, labeling the IWT a “historic betrayal” of J&K’s people and accusing Mufti of seeking “cheap publicity points” to “please some people across the border.” He defended his stance, saying, “Opposing an unfair treaty… is about correcting a historic injustice.” Mufti escalated, alleging NC founder Sheikh Abdullah shifted from pro-Pakistan advocacy to aligning with India for power, unlike PDP’s consistent stance. “We don’t need… warmongering rhetoric,” she wrote.

Abdullah rejected Mufti’s “cheap shots” at his grandfather, refusing to engage in her “gutter” tactics. “I’ll keep advocating for… J&K to use our own rivers,” he posted, vowing to focus on work. The Tulbul project, aimed at navigation and power generation, remains a flashpoint as both leaders defend their visions for J&K’s resources and peace.

Also Read: Stay Calm, Ignore Rumours! J&K Government's Call to Citizens As Nightfall Approaches