Islamabad: Pakistan Minister Sardar Awais Leghari on Thursday reacted to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Laghari termed India’s move as “water warfare”.
Earlier on Wednesday, India imposed five-point diplomatic sanctions against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. These strict measures were taken against Islamabad for its alleged involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's Statement:
The measures were announced after the high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in New Delhi.
Apart from suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, India also announced to close the integrated Attari checkpost. As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), those Indian nationals who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025.
Indus River (File Image) | PTI
Meanwhile, Pakistani nationals are not permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.
The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India. New Delhi also withdrew its own Defence, Navy and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled.
Reacting to India’s sanctions, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar criticised the suspension of the treaty, Dar denied the involvement of Pakistan in the Pahalgam terror attack. He also demanded proof from New Delhi.
A total of 28 people were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday. Five to six terrorists, affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), carried out the attack. They singled out Hindus and shot them dead. Among the deceased was also a local pony guide, who laid down his life while saving tourists from terrorists.
