Pakistan Imposes Trade Ban on India

Pakistani airspace closed to Indian flights
Indian nationals ordered to leave Pakistan
Shimla Agreement may be scrapped

Islamabad (Pakistan) – In response to India’s recent five-point action against Pakistan, the National Security Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 24 took several hardline decisions targeting India. These include a complete ban on bilateral trade, closure of the Wagah border, and a prohibition on Indian aircraft from using Pakistani airspace. Pakistan has also ordered all Indian nationals to leave the country and has threatened to suspend all bilateral agreements with India — including the historic Shimla Agreement.

A statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office declared:

“Pakistan reserves the right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India.”

Indus Water Treaty Revocation is an Act of War: Pakistan

Pakistan has fiercely rejected India’s move to revoke the Indus Water Treaty, calling it “entirely unacceptable” and a breach of international law.

“The Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement with no provision for unilateral suspension. Water is a matter of vital national interest — a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people. Any attempt to block or divert Pakistan’s share of river flow or infringe upon its lower riparian rights will be treated as an act of war, and will be met with a full-force national response.”

Visa Suspensions and Expulsions

All visas granted to Indian nationals under the SAARC visa exemption scheme have been suspended with immediate effect — except for Sikh pilgrims on religious visits.

Indian citizens currently in Pakistan have been given 48 hours to exit the country. Local Pakistani staff at Indian diplomatic missions have also been directed to return to India. The number of staff at the Indian High Commission is being significantly reduced.