Pakistan on Thursday announced the immediate closure of the Wagah Border and suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement, as part of a string of retaliatory measures against India’s “unilateral and provocative actions” following the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by top civil and military leadership, reports Dawn.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the committee reviewed the national security environment and regional situation, particularly in light of the April 23 attack that claimed 26 lives.
Describing the attack as a “false flag operation,” the NSC expressed concern over the loss of life but strongly rejected India's accusations and subsequent actions. The committee labeled India’s steps “unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit.”
Major announcements by Pakistan:
Closure of Wagah Border: Effective immediately, all cross-border transit from India through Wagah is suspended. Individuals who entered Pakistan with valid endorsements have until April 30 to return via the same route.
Suspension of Simla Agreement: Pakistan announced it will hold all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, “in abeyance” until India halts its “manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan, trans-national killings, and disregard for international law and UN resolutions on Kashmir.”
“These reckless and irresponsible measures by India disregard international conventions, Security Council resolutions, and long-standing obligations,” the NSC statement read.
India's escalation
A day earlier, India had closed its borders, downgraded diplomatic ties, and unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that has survived decades of hostilities. The move was seen as a significant escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India has blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the Pahalgam attack, alleging involvement of Pakistani nationals linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), though no evidence has been publicly provided. The attack, which took place in the popular tourist town in Kashmir, saw gunmen open fire on visitors, killing 26 — all Indian nationals except one from Nepal — and injuring 17 others. It was the worst civilian attack in the region since 2000.
A previously unknown group, The Resistance Front, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
In addition to suspending the treaty and closing the border, the Indian government also blocked the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Pakistani government within India and summoned the Pakistani charge d’affaires in New Delhi.
Pakistan denounces 'Water Warfare'
Pakistan has categorically denied any involvement in the incident and offered condolences to the victims. Officials have described India’s allegations as baseless and politically driven, and condemned the suspension of the IWT as an act of “water warfare.”
The NSC’s decisions reflect what the PMO described as "important steps" in response to India’s “unilateral and irresponsible actions” and warned that further provocations would be met with appropriate measures.
As the situation continues to escalate, regional and international observers are closely monitoring what many fear could become a wider crisis.
Source: Dawn