Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC), the country’s highest decision-making body on security, convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to formulate a response to India’s sweeping measures following the recent deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is chairing the session, attended by senior civil and military leadership. According to state-run Radio Pakistan, the committee is deliberating on the “internal and external situation arising from the Pahalgam false flag operation.”
The meeting comes after India announced a series of aggressive steps — including the closure of its borders with Pakistan, a downgrade in diplomatic ties, and the unprecedented suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The 1960 pact, brokered by the World Bank, has survived multiple wars and decades of tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Its suspension is being seen as a dramatic and historic escalation.
India has blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists — including one foreign national — and left 17 injured. However, New Delhi has yet to present any concrete evidence. Pakistani officials have strongly denied any involvement and condemned the violence, calling India’s accusations baseless and politically motivated.
Pakistani leaders have termed the incident a "false flag operation" and slammed Delhi's actions as "water warfare."
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office noted that "important decisions are expected in the context of India’s unilateral and irresponsible actions." The NSC is also reviewing India’s "impulsive and impractical" move to halt water-sharing under the IWT.
The attack, the deadliest on civilians in Kashmir since 2000, took place in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination. Indian media reports claim a previously unknown group, The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and other key ministers were seen arriving at the PM House ahead of the meeting, sources confirmed.
Source: Dawn