'Suspension Of Indus Waters Treaty Will Be Treated As An Act Of War': Rattled Pakistan After India's Punitive Action
Pakistan has taken a series of retaliatory measures following India's sanctions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency National Security Committee meeting on Thursday to formulate the country's response, just a day after India announced punitive actions against Pakistan.
Pakistan announced multiple countermeasures targeting diplomatic relations, trade, and travel between the two nations. Most notably, Pakistan declared it would hold all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, in abeyance until "India desists from manifested behaviour of fomenting terror inside Pakistan, trans-national killings, and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir."
The National Security Committee issued a strong warning regarding India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that any attempt to stop waters "will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of National Power." Pakistan described the treaty as a "lifeline" for 240 million Pakistanis.
With immediate effect, Pakistan has closed the Wagah Border Post, suspending all cross-border transit from India without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return, but no later than April 30, 2025.
Additionally, Pakistan has suspended all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme issued to Indian nationals and deemed them cancelled immediately, with an exception made only for Sikh religious pilgrims. Indian nationals currently in Pakistan under this scheme have been instructed to exit within 48 hours.
In a direct response to India's diplomatic measures, Pakistan has declared Indian Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata, directing them to leave immediately but no later than April 30. These posts in the Indian High Commission have been deemed annulled, and support staff are also directed to return to India.
Furthermore, Pakistan has mandated that the strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad be reduced to just 30 diplomats and staff members, effective April 30.
Pakistan has closed its airspace with immediate effect for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines. All trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan, has been suspended forthwith.
These actions come in response to India's five-point sanctions announced on Wednesday:
1) Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably abjured its support for cross-border terrorism"
2) Closure of the integrated checkpost at Attari
3) Cancellation of all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme visas for Pakistani nationals
4) Declaration of Pakistani Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in New Delhi as persona non grata
5) Withdrawal of Indian Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from Islamabad
India's Ministry of External Affairs also announced that all existing valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked effective April 27, with medical visas remaining valid only until April 29. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave before their amended visa expiry dates.
These developments follow the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 28 people.
In his first public remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a stern warning while addressing an event in Bihar's Madhubani. "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism," the Prime Minister stated, underscoring the government's commitment to combat terrorism with all available means.
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