Key points
• Pakistan closes airspace for Indian airlines
• Holds in abeyance all bilateral agreements, including Simla Accord, with India
• Declares Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata
• Indian High Commission staff capped at 30
• Indian citizens asked to leave Pakistan except Sikh pilgrims
• All trade with India suspended forthwith
• Pakistan closes Wagah Border
• Suspends all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has suspended all trade with India and closed its airspace with immediate effect for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines in response to India’s slew of aggressive measures against the country in the wake of the Pahalgam incident.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) — the top security body — met for over two hours on Thursday to assess and formulate a response.
“All trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan, is suspended forthwith”, an NSC communique said.
Indian Unilateral Action are Extremely Irresponsible and Unjust
Expressing concern over the loss of tourists’ lives, the committee reviewed the Indian measures announced on 23 April 2025 and termed them unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit.
The participants discussed the national security environment and the regional situation, particularly in the wake of Pahalgam incident in Anantnag area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on 22 April 2025.
Pakistan Supports Kashmiri Right of Self Determination
The meeting reiterated that “Kashmir remains an unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India as recognised through multiple UN resolutions. Pakistan continues to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The continued Indian state oppression, abrogation of statehood, political and demographic gerrymandering, has persistently led to an organic backlash from the people of IIOJK, which perpetuates cycles of violence.”
Moreover, the NSC meeting denounced the persecution of minorities in India.
“India’s systemic persecution of minorities, particularly Muslims, has become more pervasive. Attempts at forced passage of Waqf Bill is the latest effort to marginalize Muslims across India. India must resist the temptation to exploit such tragic incidents to its advantage and take full responsibility for its failure to provide security to the people.
The Pakistani leadership also said the country condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Attempt to Link Pakistan with Pahalgam incident is Frivolous
“As the world’s front-line state against terrorism, Pakistan has suffered immense human and economic losses. Indian attempts to inject volatility in the environment along Pakistan’s eastern borders are aimed at distracting Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic.
Additionally, the NSC statement said, “India’s worn-out narrative of victimhood cannot obfuscate its own culpability in fomenting terrorism on Pakistan’s soil, nor can it distract attention from its systematic and state-sponsored oppression and human rights violations in IIOJK. Contrary to Indian claims, Pakistan has in its custody incontrovertible proof of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, including the confession of a serving Indian Navy officer, Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who remains a living testament to India’s state-sponsored terrorist activities.”
Any Threat Will Be Met with Reciprocal Measures in All Domains
The committee deplored the threat contained in the Indian statement of 23 April 2025.
“The international community ought to remain mindful of India’s state-sponsored extraterritorial assassinations or attempts on foreign soil. These heinous acts were carried out in blatant violation of international law as recently exposed by Pakistan, along with various other states, with undeniable evidence. Pakistan will pursue all those responsible, planners and perpetrators alike and ensure that justice is served. Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains.”
Pakistan warned that India should refrain from its reflexive blame game and exploitation of incidents like Pahalgam to further its political agenda.
Such tactics serve only to inflame tensions and obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region, the huddle noted.
Water is 240 Million Pakistanis Life Line Which Will be Defended at All Costs
“Pakistan vehemently rejects the Indian announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The Treaty is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension. Water is a Vital National Interest of Pakistan, a lifeline for its 240 million people, and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs,” the NSC statement further said.
Pakistan Holds in Abeyance All Bilateral Agreements, including Simla Accord, with India
It noted that “Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty, and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of National Power. Noting the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations at will, Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India including but not limited to Simla Agreement in abeyance, till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; trans-national killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir.”
Pakistan Closes All Air and Land Links with India
Moreover, Pakistan will close down the Wagah Border Post, with immediate effect.
All cross-border transit from India through this route will be suspended, without exception.
Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than 30 April 2025.
“Pakistan suspends all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals and deems them cancelled with immediate effect, with the exception of Sikh religious pilgrims. Indian nationals currently in Pakistan under SVES are instructed to exit within 48 hours, less Sikh pilgrims. Pakistan declares the Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata. They are directed to leave Pakistan immediately, but not later than 30 April 2025. These posts in the Indian High Commission are deemed annulled. Support staff of these Advisors are also directed to return to India.”
The strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from 30 April 2025, the committee decided.
Pakistani Armed Forces Are Capable and Ready
It underscored that Pakistan and its Armed Forces remain fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure, as clearly demonstrated by its measured yet resolute response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019.
“In conclusion, India’s belligerent measures have vindicated the Two- Nation Theory as well as the apprehensions of Quaid- E- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as encapsulated in the 1940 Pakistan Resolution, which continues to echo the sentiments of the complete Pakistani Nation. The Pakistani Nation remains committed to peace, but will never allow anyone to transgress its sovereignty, security, dignity and their inalienable rights,” the NSC statement said.
