Pakistan Responds to India with Border Closures, Trade Suspension, and Diplomatic Expulsions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a high-level meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday, launching a series of sweeping countermeasures following the attack in Pahalgam and India’s subsequent policy actions.

The committee endorsed a set of retaliatory steps aimed at confronting what was described as India’s “diplomatic and water aggression.”

Among the measures approved:

• closure of the Wagah border,
• suspension of all trade ties,
• airspace restrictions on Indian carriers,
• visa denials under the SAARC framework—excluding Sikh pilgrims.

The NSC also ordered a sharp reduction in diplomatic engagement. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad will see its staff cut to 30, and Indian defence advisors have been declared persona non grata, with immediate departure mandated.

Deliberations at the meeting addressed India’s recent decisions to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, halt Pakistani visa access, and reduce diplomatic staffing, as well as the ongoing dispute over Kashmir. The committee assessed the broader internal and regional security climate and reaffirmed its commitment to Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

A formal statement rejected all accusations by New Delhi regarding the Pahalgam attack, labelling them part of a broader “false flag operation.” Pakistan will raise India’s suspension of the 1960 water-sharing accord before international legal and diplomatic forums.

The NSC further hinted at the possible suspension of all bilateral arrangements, including the Simla Accord, describing India’s actions as further validation of the two-nation theory.

“India’s attempt to politicise the Pahalgam tragedy is petty and disgraceful,” the statement read. It also invoked the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as evidence of India’s involvement in cross-border activities.

As tensions continue to escalate, the NSC underscored its confidence in the preparedness of the country’s armed forces and reiterated that Pakistan will defend its national security in all circumstances. The committee reminded the global community of Pakistan’s frontline role in the fight against terrorism, asserting that New Delhi’s international narrative continues to falter.