Pakistan has disclosed a number of measures in response to unilateral termination of the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading of diplomatic relations by India after the recent Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The news was announced after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) conducted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and subsequently approved by the federal cabinet.
Among the key actions taken, Pakistan has suspended all trade with India including transit through third party countries. The country airspace has also been closed to Indian owned and operated airlines while the Wagah border will be shut down after April 30 with a deadline set for any remaining crossings. Additionally the diplomatic staff of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 members and India defence, naval and air attaches have been declared persona non grata.
Pakistan has strongly condemned India suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 and labelled this move as illegal and violation of international law. Government officials warned that any attempt by India to divert Pakistan water from rivers governed by the treaty would be considered an act of war.
Furthermore all Indian nationals in Pakistan under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme except for Sikh pilgrims have been ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. Meanwhile India has also expelled all Pakistani nationals and suspended all categories of Pakistani visa services except for high priority medical cases.
The situation deteriorated after India accused Pakistan of the Pahalgam attack which left 26 Indian tourists dead. In response Pakistan Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as baseless and termed the incident a false flag operation.
Also read this: What is the Indus Waters Treaty? And Its Current Situation
