New Delhi, April 24: As a retaliatory measure, Pakistan on Thursday put the Shimla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India on hold.
Apart from it the nation announced to suspend all trades with India with India’s attempt to divert the water meant for it under the Indus Water Treaty considering it an Act of War.
Islamabad also closed the Wagah border post, cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave during the stipulated time.
The announcements followed a meeting here of its National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in response to the Indian decision on Wednesday to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties with Islamabad.
A statement issued after the Islamabad meeting, which included key minister and the three services chiefs, said Pakistan’s armed forces “remain fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure”.
Pakistan pointedly mentioned the 1972 Simla Agreement that said differences will be settled through negotiations, and recognised the Line of Control between the two countries.
"Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to the Simla Agreement, in abeyance till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; transnational killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir,” the statement said.
The statement also contained that Pakistan will close down the Wagah border post with immediate effect. On Wednesday, India had closed the Attari border point.
"All cross-border transits from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30," Pakistan said.
Pakistan said all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals were deemed cancelled, with the exception of those given to Sikh pilgrims.
Pakistan declared the Indian military advisers at New Delhi's mission in Islamabad persona non grata, asking them to leave by April 30, replicating the Indian move.
The strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will also be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, the same as that of Pakistan in India.
"All trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan, is suspended forthwith," the statement added.
Pakistan said it unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
On the other hand, it alleged that India attempts to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam attack that’s frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic.
