A day after India made strong diplomatic moves against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Islamabad reacted on Thursday by saying that it would "exercise the right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to the Simla Agreement."
India's reaction on Wednesday involved suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, reducing diplomatic relations with Pakistan, expelling senior defense personnel and Pakistani diplomats from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, and asking them to depart within 48 hours. The Attari-Wagah border was also closed.
Pakistan's response was issued after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan categorically rejected India's move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, denouncing any efforts to halt or divert water flow from the Indus River system. The statement indicated that such measures would be considered "an Act of War."
In a retaliatory action, Pakistan said that it would from immediately shut down its airspace for all Indian-owned or operated airlines and suspend all trade with India, including third-country trade through Pakistan. The Wagah border post would also be shut down, and the complement of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad would be cut to 30. In addition, Pakistan would order defense officials out of the Indian High Commission in a tit-for-tat action.
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