Pakistan has strongly rejected India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of international law. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in Islamabad to review the situation, particularly after the recent attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The NSC emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding agreement brokered by the World Bank, with no clause allowing unilateral withdrawal. It declared water a vital national interest for Pakistan and warned that any attempt to block or divert its flow would be considered an act of war, met with a full-spectrum response.
Read more: Nearly One Million Undocumented Afghans Repatriated from Pakistan
Citing India’s repeated violations of international norms and the UN’s Kashmir resolutions, Pakistan announced the suspension of bilateral agreements, including the Simla Accord, unless India halts its alleged support for terrorism and unlawful actions.
Key decisions made by the NSC include:
- Immediate closure of the Wagah border post, halting all Indian transit, except for those returning by April 30.
- Cancellation of all SAARC visas for Indian nationals, except Sikh pilgrims, who must leave within 48 hours.
- Expulsion of Indian Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in Islamabad, with a deadline of April 30.
- Reduction of Indian High Commission staff to 30 personnel.
- Closure of Pakistan’s airspace for Indian-owned or operated airlines.
- Suspension of all trade with India, including via third countries.
The NSC reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and cited the response to the 2019 Balakot incident as proof of its preparedness. It also condemned India’s domestic actions in Kashmir, including demographic changes and minority persecution, calling them a trigger for continued unrest.
The NSC warned against India’s use of recent incidents to divert attention from internal failures and its role in regional instability. It pointed to past Indian operations on foreign soil, urging the international community to take note.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to peace and regional stability but declared it would respond firmly to any threat to its sovereignty. The NSC urged India to stop blame games and media-driven war rhetoric that fuel regional tensions.
