ISLAMABAD: Following the National Security Committee (NSC) rendezvous here Thu (24th April, 2025) Pakistan warned India that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water would be considered an act of war.
The NSC huddle, that was meant to ponder over the state-of-affairs post killing of 26 tourists near Pahalgam a day earlier proclaimed: “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.
“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 shall close down the Wagah Border Post, with immediate effect. All cross-border transit from India through this route shall 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 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 Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from 30 April 2025. Pakistan’s airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines. All trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan is suspended forthwith.”
Pahalgam killings: India suspends Indus Waters Treaty 1960
In the wake of the killing of 27 tourists in Pahalgam area of Occupied Kashmir a day earlier, India has suspended Indus Waters Treaty 1960; closed Attari Border Checkpost and ordered Pakistanis to leave the country by 1st May, 2025.
Little known The Resistance Front (TRF) took to the Telegram to claim the responsibility for the attack, accusing India of changing the demography of IOK by granting residency permits to (what they termed as) outsiders: “… violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally!”
Talking to journalists at a Presser held here on 23rd April, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told about the rendezvous of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) with the PM in the Chair: “In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of the elections in the union territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
“Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon the following measures: The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” According to details all those Pakistanis who entered India utilising the facility of the Saarc Visa Exemption, will have to leave within 48 hours. Others have been ordered to exit by 1st May.
“Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme…The defence, military, naval and air advisers at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own defence, navy and air advisers from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.”
India, that has also closed Attari Border Check Post, ordered personnel associated with defense at the Pakistani diplomatic pose here to leave within a week. Expressing concern over killing of 27 tourists by unknown militants in Pahalgam area of Occupied Kashmir a day earlier, the spokesman of the Foreign Office here expressed Pakistan’s concerns Wed (23rd April, 2025).
Foreign Office of Pakistan, extending condolences to the relatives of the slain tourists, stated: “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.” 4 militants randomly shot 27 tourists (all men) dead in the Baisaran meadow (5km away from Pahalgam) by means of automatic guns on Tuesday (22nd April, 2025). The shooting lasted 20-30 minutes.
Newspakistan.tv
