Islamabad
After the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken many strict action against Pakistan. The CCS meeting led by PM Modi took five decisions, including a ban on the Indus Water Treaty. In response to this, an important meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) was held on Thursday, in which it was also decided to close Pakistan’s aircraft for India. The Shimla Agreement has also been suspended. Announcing the shutdown of aircraft for Indian flights, Pakistan said that Pakistan’s airspace will be shut down with immediate effect for all Indian -owned or Indian -operated airlines. At the same time, all trade with India from a third country through Pakistan has also been suspended immediately.
With India’s action, Pakistan has said that under the Indus Water Treaty, any step to turn the prescribed water for it will be considered as a war action. At the same time, he announced the suspension of bilateral agreements and air areas including trade, Shimla Agreement and air sectors in response to the steps taken by New Delhi against the country in view of the Pahalgam attack. These announcements were made after a meeting headed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to prepare the country’s response to India’s move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and reduce diplomatic relations after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s head ministers and heads of the three armies. A statement issued after the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting said, “Pakistan will exercise the right to postpone all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Agreement, but is not limited to that.” The statement said that Pakistan will close the Wagah border post with immediate effect. However, India has already closed the attic border checkpost. In addition, Pakistan has also suspended all visas under the SAARC Visa Rebate Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian citizens and has considered them canceled with immediate effect, leaving Sikh religious pilgrims. Under SVES, currently Indian citizens have been instructed to exit Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan within 48 hours.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the NSC clearly dismissed India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, described the agreement as important for regional stability, as well as emphasized that water is a significant national interest and 24 million is a lifeline for Pakistanis. It said, “According to the Indus Water Treaty, any attempt to stop or turn the flow of water of Pakistan and violate the rights of the lower coastal people will be considered to be a war action.” The Indian High Commission capacity in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and employees from April 30.
