Pakistan cancels visas for Indian nationals, suspends trade, shuts airspace after Kashmir attack
- 24 Apr 2025
Pakistan on Thursday announced closure of the Wagah Border Post with India with immediate effect and suspension of all cross-border transit from India through this route without exception.
Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than 30 April 2025. Pakistan also said that the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian (by India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)) will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum.
The tit-for-tat announcements took relations between the neighbours to the lowest level in years.
Several key decisions were announced in a statement issued following a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and attended by important cabinet ministers and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and other top military commanders.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar challenged India to present any concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the recent deadly attack in occupied Kashmir.
Speaking at a presser after the NSC's meeting, Dar said, "India keeps playing the blame game. If there is any proof of Pakistan's role in the Pahalgam attack, bring it forward." He added that Pakistan has responded more strongly to India's actions - even closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.
"If India has any evidence, it should present it. We have immediately shut down the Wagah border. The Indian High Commission's staff will be reduced from 55 to 30 by April 30. We've declared Indian military, naval, and air advisers in Islamabad as persona non grata and ordered them to leave the country," he said.
Following the killing of 26 persons in Pahalgam on Wednesday, India suspended IWT, downgraded diplomatic ties among other measures against Pakistan.
The statement said that Pakistan vehemently rejects the Indian announcement to hold the IWT in abeyance, the statement said, adding that the IWT is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension. Water is a Vital National Interest of Pakistan, a lifeline for its 240 million people and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs. Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the IWT, 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.
The statement said that Pakistan 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
It said that 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 April 30, 2025. These posts in the Indian High Commission are deemed annulled. Support staff of these Advisers are also directed to return to India.
The strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from April 30, 2025.
Pakistan’s airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines. All trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan is suspended forthwith.
The NSC 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’s reckless incursion in February 2019.
The statement said that 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 (IIOJK) on 22 April 2025
Expressing concern over the loss of tourists’ lives, the NSC reviewed the Indian measures announced on April 23, 2025 and termed them unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit.
Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As the world’s front-line state against terrorism, Pakistan has suffered immense human and economic losses. Indian attempts to inject volatility in the environment along Pakistan’s Eastern borders is aimed at distracting Pakistan’s 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.
Dozens of demonstrators in Islamabad and other cities in Pakistan rallied against India's suspension of a water sharing treaty, demanding their government retaliate.
"India has taken irresponsible steps and leveled allegations," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told local Dunya News TV channel.