In a forceful and sweeping retaliation, Pakistan has severed trade ties, revoked bilateral agreements, and closed its airspace to India following New Delhi’s aggressive actions and accusations over a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an urgent National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Thursday, alongside Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and other top military and civilian leaders, to formulate a response to India’s recent moves, including its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and its inflammatory rhetoric.
In a strongly worded post-meeting statement, the NSC slammed India’s repeated accusations as “baseless” and accused New Delhi of using the tragedy in Pahalgam as political theater. The committee made it clear that any attempt to manipulate or divert Pakistan’s rightful share of water under the IWT would be considered an act of war.
“Pakistan will respond with full force if its water rights are violated,” the NSC declared, asserting that India’s unilateral decision to abandon the treaty is illegal under international law.
As part of a wider diplomatic and strategic retaliation, Pakistan announced a comprehensive review of all bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement, citing India’s ongoing interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs and refusal to implement UN resolutions on Kashmir.
Key measures unveiled by the NSC include:
- Complete shutdown of trade and airspace to India, including flights owned or operated by Indian entities, even via third countries.
- Closure of the Wagah Border, with limited exceptions for Indian nationals already inside Pakistan (who must leave by April 30).
- Revocation of SAARC Visa Exemptions for Indian citizens, except Sikh pilgrims, who have 48 hours to exit the country.
- Expulsion of India’s military attachés — defence, naval, and air — and their teams, who have been declared persona non grata and given until April 30 to leave.
- Reduction of Indian diplomatic presence, with Pakistan capping Indian High Commission staff to 30 by the end of the month.
The NSC also strongly rejected India’s claim that Pakistan was behind the attack in Pahalgam, calling the allegations “frivolous and devoid of logic.” It reiterated that Pakistan remains a consistent advocate for regional peace but would not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty or dignity.
Referring to previous instances of Indian interference — including the capture and conviction of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav — the committee cited concrete proof of India’s covert operations in Pakistan, in contrast to New Delhi’s unsubstantiated claims.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif went further, accusing India of “exporting terrorism” into Pakistan and enabling groups like the TTP and BLA to carry out attacks on Pakistani soil. He warned that any further aggression from India would trigger a “tit-for-tat” response, possibly beyond what has been seen before.
“The world knows who is destabilizing the region,” said Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, calling India’s actions “legally ignorant and politically motivated.”
On the legal front, Attorney General Mansoor Awan confirmed that India cannot unilaterally withdraw from the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan, he stated, will pursue its case in all relevant international forums if India escalates the matter.
Finally, the NSC condemned India’s alleged use of extraterritorial assassinations and repression in Kashmir, branding these actions as serious violations of international norms. The committee emphasized that Pakistan would continue to expose such practices on the global stage.
“Pakistan stands for peace,” the NSC stated, “but it will defend every inch of its territory and every drop of its water with absolute resolve.”
