Pakistan Suspends All Bilateral Agreements And Trade Activities, Closes Airspace For Indian Flights
Pakistan said it has suspended the Simla Agreement -- a major peace treaty signed between the two countries in 1972 -- and all bilateral agreements until India changes its conduct
Pakistan on Thursday suspended all its bilateral agreements and trade activities, while closing its airspace to Indian aircraft, in a response to India’s move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The neighbouring country said it has suspended the Simla Agreement — a major peace treaty signed between the two countries in 1972 following the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War — and all bilateral agreements until India changes its conduct.
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The decision was announced soon after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with key ministers and the three services chiefs to formulate his country’s response to India’s action in view of cross-border links in the deadly attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
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Pakistan said it “unequivocally condemns terrorism" and rejected India’s move to suspend Indus Waters Treaty. It said this is a lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis and warned that any diversion will be treated as an “act of war". “Any threat to Pak’s sovereignty, security will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," said a Pakistani statement after the National Security Committee meeting.
India on Wednesday (April 23) suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Earlier, Dawn reported that deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar, while speaking to a private television channel, lashed out at India’s approach, calling it “immature" and “hasty".
“India has not given any evidence. They have not shown any maturity in their response," he said. “This is a non-serious approach. They started creating hype immediately after the incident." Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in a separate statement, expressed regret over the loss of life.
Diplomatic observers warn that the Indian response and Pakistan’s counter-messaging could push bilateral relations to new lows, further widening a rift that has persisted since the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot crisis. The treaty suspension, in particular, risks sparking long-term water disputes, while the downgrading of diplomatic ties could hinder any future de-escalation efforts, Dawn reported.
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