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In response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today.
The move follows a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which targeted tourists, resulting in 28 Indian deaths and 17 injuries.
The attackers reportedly confirmed the religious identities of their victims before carrying out the ambush.
Pakistan has strongly criticised India’s decision, calling it lacking in seriousness. It has vowed to issue a response following its National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.
Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, condemned India’s actions, calling them ‘unserious and inappropriate’.
He further stated, “India has failed to provide any evidence linking Pakistan to recent terrorist incidents and appears to be reacting out of anger. Its announcements reflect a lack of seriousness.”
“India throws the blame on Pakistan whenever it faces a crisis,” Dar further remarked.
The Indian government, following the attack in Pahalgam, announced several measures targeting Pakistan.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri disclosed that India would hold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance until Pakistan ‘irreversibly’ ceases supporting cross-border terrorism.
“The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 will held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,” he stated.
Additionally, Misri revealed the immediate closure of the Wagah-Attari border. This crossing point holds significant importance for trade and civilian movement between India and Pakistan.
The government has also imposed a ban on Pakistani nationals entering India. It has given those currently in the country 48 hours to leave.
Other steps include:
- The expulsion of Pakistani military advisors from India, and
- The recall of Indian military advisors and staff from Pakistan
The Cabinet also decided to halt the travel of Pakistani nationals to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and declared any previously issued visas void.
The officials has also given Pakistanis currently in India on such visas 48 hours to depart.
“Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas,” Misri asserted.
He further added, “Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.”
In addition, India plans to reduce its diplomatic presence in Islamabad, cutting the number of staff at the Indian High Commission from 55 to 30.
The swift and strong response from India has prompted Pakistan to prepare for a counteraction.
According to Ishaq Dar, the NSC will issue a comprehensive response after the meeting, asserting that India’s accusations are unfounded.
He also warned that if India had any legitimate evidence, it should present it.
Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar said, “India’s statements are inappropriate, and the NSC will issue a comprehensive response.”
“It is not appropriate to vent anger over terrorism on Pakistan. If India has any evidence instead of mere accusations, it should present it,” he further added.
Pakistan’s Power Minister Awais Leghari strongly condemned India’s suspension of the IWT, calling it an illegal and reckless act of ‘water warfare’.
He stated that Pakistan would defend its water rights ‘legally, politically, and globally’.
The situation continues to escalate as both nations prepare for further developments in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
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