Pakistan retaliates to India\u2019s moves
\nNSC warns any Indian attempt to stop or divert flow of water under Indus Waters Treaty would be \u201cact of war\u201d
\n ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan while giving forceful reply in regard to Indian steps has ordered Indian citizens except Sikh Yatris to quit the country within 48 hours.
\nDeclaring Indian defence, Naval and air advisors in Pakistan persona non grata has directed them to leave country till April 30. These posts in the Indian High Commission are deemed annulled. Support staff of these Advisers are also directed to return to India.
\nThe strength of Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from 30 April 2025.
\nAnnouncing to close its airspace immediately for India, Pakistan suspended its all trade with India.
\nMilitary leadership said in unequivocal terms that befitting reply will be given to any aggression or adventurism from India.
\nWater is a vital national interest of Pakistan. This is life line for 240 million people. Its availability will be protected at every cost. World Bank (WB) will be resorted to in connection with Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
\nA meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) was held in Islamabad Thursday with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
\nMeeting was attended by deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar, defence minister Khawaja Asif, interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, information minister Ata Tarar, Azam Nazir Tarar and other ministers.
\nSpecial advisor to PM Tariq Fatmi, Attorney General (AG) Mansoor Usman Awan were also present in the meeting.
\nSenior military leadership, members of NSC and other senior officers also attended the meeting.
\nAs per declaration of the meeting the participants discussed the national security environment and the regional situation, particularly in the wake of Pahalgam attack in the Anantnag District of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday last.
\nNSC expressed satisfaction over operational preparedness of armed forces.
\nNoting 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.
\nThe forum decided that 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.
\nPakistan 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.
\nThe NSC said 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 Advisers are also directed to return to India.
\nThe strength of Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from 30 April 2025.
\nThe committee further decided that Pakistan\u2019s airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines.
\nAll trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan is suspended forthwith.
\nThe National Security Committee underscored that 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\u2019s reckless incursion in February 2019.
\nIt said India\u2019s belligerent measures have vindicated the Two- Nation Theory as well as the apprehensions of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as encapsulated in the 1940 Pakistan Resolution, which continues to echo the sentiments of the complete Pakistani Nation.
\nThe Pakistani Nation remains committed to peace, but will never allow anyone to transgress its sovereignty, security, dignity and their inalienable rights.
\nExpressing concern over the loss of tourists\u2019 lives, the Committee reviewed the Indian measures announced yesterday and termed them unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit.
\nThe forum observed that Kashmir remains an unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India as recognized through multiple UN resolutions. Pakistan continues to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The continued Indian state oppression, abrogation of statehood, political and demographic gerrymandering, has persistently led to an organic backlash from the people of IIOJK, which perpetuates cycles of violence. India\u2019s systemic persecution of minorities, particularly Muslims, has become more pervasive. Attempts at forced passage of Waqf Bill is the latest effort to marginalize Muslims across India.
\nIt added that India must resist the temptation to exploit such tragic incidents to its advantage and take full responsibility for its failure to provide security to the people.
\nThe NSC convened on Thursday warned: \u201cAny 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.\u201d
\nThe statement also noted that India\u2019s behaviour is reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations
\nIt said Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As the world\u2019s front-line state against terrorism, Pakistan has suffered immense human and economic losses. Indian attempts to inject volatility in the environment along Pakistan\u2019s Eastern borders are aimed at distracting Pakistan\u2019s counter-terrorism efforts. In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic.
\nThe committee said India\u2019s worn-out narrative of victimhood cannot obfuscate its own culpability in fomenting terrorism on Pakistan\u2019s soil, nor can it distract attention from its systematic and state sponsored oppression and human rights violations in IIOJK.
\nContrary to Indian claims, Pakistan has in its custody incontrovertible proof of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, including the confession of a serving Indian Navy officer, Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who remains a living testament to India\u2019s state-sponsored terrorist activities.
\nPakistani nation is determined for peace but will not allow any one to violate its sovereignty, security , dignity and its indivisible rights.
\nIndia should refrain from stage managed exploitation in cinemas for moving ahead its narrow political agenda through its self made blame game and incidents like Pahalgam. Such tactics only fan tension and become hurdle on the way to peace and stability in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan retaliates to India\u2019s moves NSC warns any Indian attempt to stop or divert flow of water under Indus Waters Treaty would be \u201cact of war\u201d ISLAMABAD Pakistan while giving forceful reply in regard to Indian steps has ordered Indian citizens except Sikh Yatris to quit the country within 48 hours. Declaring Indian defence, Naval […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":474478,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-474455","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n