Key Points
- Pakistan closes Wagah border, suspends all trade and airspace for Indian carriers after India’s actions post-Pahalgam attack.
- All Indian visas under SAARC (except for Sikh pilgrims) are cancelled; Indian nationals in Pakistan ordered to leave within 48 hours.
- Pakistan accuses India of “low-intensity war” and threatens to suspend all bilateral agreements, including the Shimla Accord.
- Islamabad warns any attempt to divert Indus waters will be considered an “act of war”.
- Both countries expel diplomats and halt visa services amid escalating diplomatic standoff.
Islamabad: Pakistan has announced a series of sweeping measures against India, dramatically escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed at least 26 lives, mostly tourists. In response to India’s retaliatory steps including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and expulsion of Pakistani diplomats Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) convened an emergency meeting in Islamabad and unveiled its countermeasures.
Border, Airspace, and Trade Severed
- Wagah Border Closure: Pakistan has immediately shut the Wagah Border Post, halting all cross-border transit from India. Indians who entered Pakistan with valid endorsements must return by April 30, 2025.
- Trade Suspension: All trade with India, including routes through third countries, is suspended, bringing already minimal bilateral commerce to a complete standstill. This move is expected to impact small traders and industries reliant on cross-border activity.
- Airspace Ban: Pakistani airspace is closed to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, forcing Indian carriers to take longer detours for flights to Europe and the Middle East. The duration of this closure remains unspecified.
Diplomatic and Visa Fallout
- Visa Cancellations: All visas issued to Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme are cancelled, except for Sikh religious pilgrims. Indians in Pakistan under this scheme must leave within 48 hours.
- Diplomatic Expulsions: Pakistan has declared Indian Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata, ordering them and their support staff to leave by April 30, 2025. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad will also see its staff reduced to 30 members.
- Reciprocal Actions: India, for its part, has suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals and advised its citizens to return home, further deepening the diplomatic freeze.
Accusations and Warnings
Terrorism Allegations: Pakistan accused India of orchestrating a “low-intensity war” and spreading terrorism inside Pakistan, while also alleging violations of international law and UN resolutions on Kashmir.
- Indus Water Treaty Dispute: Islamabad strongly rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, calling it a binding international agreement with no provision for unilateral withdrawal. Pakistan warned that any attempt to divert or stop the flow of water would be viewed as an “act of war” and met with a full-spectrum response.
Wider Ramifications
These developments mark one of the most severe escalations in India-Pakistan relations in recent years. The closure of borders, suspension of trade, and airspace restrictions are expected to have immediate economic and political consequences for both countries, as well as for regional stability. The situation remains fluid, with both sides signaling readiness to respond forcefully to any further provocation.
“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.” : Pakistan NSC statement
The world watches as South Asia’s two nuclear neighbors stand at a new flashpoint, with diplomatic, economic, and security ramifications unfolding rapidly.
