‘Diverting Pakistan’s water will be treated as act of war’, Islamabad warns New Delhi
ISLAMABAD: In an all-out response to the controversial measures taken by the government in New Delhi, the National Security Committee (NSC) has warned that any move by India to divert the flow of water lawfully belonging to Pakistan will be “considered an act of war”.
The move comes in response to India’s unilateral decision to suspend the six-decade-old Indus Water Treaty and also taking other steps against Pakistan in the aftermath of an attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The attack on Tuesday claimed the lives of 26 people — including one Nepali national — and India’s government blames Pakistan for the attack, a claim that Islamabad vehemently denied and also termed as a “false flag operation”.
The NSC convened on Thursday warned: “Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty, and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an act of war and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of national power.”
The statement also noted that India’s behaviour is reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations at will.
Pakistan rejects India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
Water diversion will be treated as an act of war
Wagah Border closed to all Indian land transit
SAARC visa exemptions for Indians cancelled immediately
Indian nationals must exit Pakistan within 48 hours
Indian defence advisers declared persona non grata
Indian High Commission staff limited to 30 persons
Pakistan closes airspace to Indian airlines immediately
All trade with India suspended without exception
NSC says Indian aggression validates Two-Nation Theory
Pakistan, the statement said, vehemently rejects the Indian announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
“The Treaty is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension.”
Water is a vital national interest of Pakistan, it mentioned, a lifeline for its 240 million people and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs.
The NSC warned that Pakistan could also exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India including but not limited to Simla Agreement in abeyance, till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; trans-national killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir.
Pakistan shall also close down the Wagah Border Post, with immediate effect. All cross-border transit 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, 2025, the statement mentioned.
Pakistan has, moreover, suspended all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals and deemed them cancelled with immediate effect, with the exception of Sikh religious pilgrims.
Indian nationals currently in Pakistan under SVES are instructed to exit within 48 hours, the statement mentioned.
Pakistan also declares the Indian defence, naval and air advisors in Islamabad persona non grata. They are directed to leave Pakistan immediately but not later than April 30, 2025, the NSC declared.
“These posts in the Indian High Commission are deemed annulled. [The] support staff of these advisors are also directed to return to India,” the NSC statement said.
The strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will also be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from April 30.
“Pakistan’s airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian owned or Indian-operated airlines. All trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan is suspended forthwith.”
The NSC, moreover, underscored that Pakistan and its armed forces remain fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure, as clearly demonstrated by its measured yet resolute response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019.
In conclusion, India’s belligerent measures have vindicated the Two- Nation Theory as well as the apprehensions of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as encapsulated in the 1940 Pakistan Resolution, which continues to echo the sentiments of the complete Pakistani nation.
“The Pakistani nation remains committed to peace, but will never allow anyone to transgress its sovereignty, security, dignity and inalienable rights,” the statement added.
Islamabad’s response comes after India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) laid out five measures which New Delhi has termed as “decisive response to cross-border terrorism”.
The Indus Water Treaty is a water-sharing agreement between Pakistan and India, facilitated by the World Bank. It gives India control over the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) of the Indus basin while it gives Pakistan authority over the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab).
The other measures include the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post Attari as well as the issuance of a deadline for Pakistanis to leave the country before May 1, 2025.
Kashmiri traders hold a candlelight vigil to condemn the attack on tourists near IIOJKs scenic Pahalgam, in Srinagar on April 23, 2025. — Reuters
Kashmiri traders hold a candlelight vigil to condemn the attack on tourists near IIOJK’s scenic Pahalgam, in Srinagar on April 23, 2025. — Reuters
Declaring military, naval and air advisers in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata, India has asked them to leave the country within a week while also announcing to withdraw its own defence advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
New Delhi will also be reducing its overall strength of the High Commissions to 30 from the present 55 by May 1.
Expanding on the situation, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the issues raised by India would be discussed in the NSC meeting today.
Speaking in the Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, Asif noted that India couldn’t not unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, as the agreement involves not just the two countries, but other stakeholders as well, including the World Bank.
He further added that India has long sought to exit the treaty, but Pakistan remains prepared to respond with full force if necessary.
Separately, speaking to the media, the defence minister said that Pakistan has absolutely nothing to do with it, as Pakistan rejects terrorism in all its forms and everywhere.
Chairs and tables are scattered at the site of an attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in IIOJKs Anantnag district, on April 24, 2025. — Reuters
Chairs and tables are scattered at the site of an attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in IIOJK’s Anantnag district, on April 24, 2025. — Reuters
“This is all home-grown, there are revolutions in different so-called states against India, not one, not two, but dozens, from Nagaland to Kashmir, in the Khwahsciouth, in Chattisgarh, in Manipur. In all these places, there are revolutions against the Indian government,” he remarked.
Asif said that India should investigate the Pahalgam incident as merely levelling allegations won’t absolve them of responsibility.
“India’s allegation against Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident is inappropriate,” he said, adding that Pakistan is the most affected country by terrorism and has been facing the menace for decades.
“There should be no ambiguity that we strongly condemn terrorism,” the defence czar said; however, he added that a “false flag operation” could not be ruled out.
The defence czar’s concerns regarding a false flag operation have also been echoed by various defence analysts.
Brigadier (retd) Rashid Wali, while talking to Geo News, raised questions about India’s approach, noting that propaganda against Pakistan started doing the rounds almost immediately after the attack, with Indian media spreading baseless claims.
Former senator, Mushahid Hussain Syed, who is also a veteran foreign affairs expert, condemned India’s practice of jumping to blaming Pakistan following terror incidents in India or IIOJK.
The scepticism is to be taken in the context of India’s newsrooms resorting to war-mongering coupled with social media trends advocating for retaliation against Pakistan.
Account blocked
In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government has also blocked the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan within its territory.
The account now displays a message stating it has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand.
Screengrab of the blocked X account of Pakistani govt in India. — X
Screengrab of the blocked X account of Pakistani govt in India. — X
Meanwhile, in a statement, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians’ (PPPP) spokesperson Shazia Marri strongly condemned the Pahalgam incident and India’s subsequent reaction.
She urged India to move past its “Pakistan phobia” and learn to respect international diplomacy. “Instead of placing blame over the killing of unarmed civilians, India should have conducted a proper investigation,” she added.
Marri emphasised that Pakistan is a responsible and strong nation, fully capable of responding to Indian aggression. “India has made a habit of spreading false propaganda against Pakistan,” she said, expressing astonishment over New Delhi’s allegations in the absence of any evidence.
She accused the Modi government of fuelling hatred within India and now pursuing the same approach against Pakistan. “The Modi regime should reflect on the oppression and brutality it has inflicted in occupied Kashmir,” Marri remarked.
She said that instead of levelling baseless accusations, India should examine its own security failures. “This month alone, Pakistan warmly welcomed over 6,700 Sikh pilgrims from India,” she pointed out.
Indian security force personnel stand guard at the site of an attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in IIOJKs Anantnag district on April 24, 2025. — Reuters
Indian security force personnel stand guard at the site of an attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in IIOJK’s Anantnag district on April 24, 2025. — Reuters
“We desire improved relations between the two neighbouring countries, but India’s intentions do not appear sincere,” she said. “India has been embarrassed by its own bluster in the past — this time will be no different”.
Condemning India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Marri said: “This is a blatant violation of international law. Such agreements cannot be suspended at the whim of one party”.
She asserted that Pakistan would fight its case at international forums over violations of the treaty and India’s water aggression. “Even during times of war, such treaties are not suspended,” she noted.
“The international community must take notice of India’s attempts to monopolise rivers, construct dams, and violate the Indus Waters Treaty,” she stressed, warning that New Delhi’s actions pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s water security and national sovereignty.
“In this struggle for Pakistan’s survival, every citizen understands their responsibility,” Marri said, adding that the Pakistani nation stands united with its armed forces to defend the country’s integrity.
She concluded by stating that Pakistan is actively informing the international media about India’s stubbornness and aggression.
False flag operation: AJK President
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, has said that the Modi government is gripped by a war frenzy, accusing India of staging a false flag operation in Pahalgam.
Condemning the Pahalgam incident, Barrister Chaudhry said India is levelling baseless allegations against Pakistan in an attempt to cover up its own crimes.
He alleged that India, under the Modi regime, orchestrated the Pahalgam drama and has also been involved in terror activities in countries including Canada.
Meanwhile, former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan stated that Indian involvement in the incident in occupied Kashmir is evident. He warned that any adventurism against Azad Kashmir would have consequences for India.
Furthermore, the spiritual leader of the Hur Jamaat, Pir Pagara, said that in these testing times, the entire nation and the Hur Jamaat stand firmly with Pakistan’s armed forces.
In a statement, Pir Pagara remarked that divisive political matters can be addressed later. “This is not a time for politics, but a moment to prioritise Pakistan’s defence and security. The defence of the motherland comes above all else,” he said.
He reiterated that at this critical juncture, the nation and the Hur Jamaat are united in support of the armed forces.
Separately, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that India itself is behind the Pahalgam incident. “This is part of its conspiracy, and the government must issue a strong response to India’s actions,” he stated.
Additionally, the Pakistan Business Forum has called on the government to immediately suspend the Pakistan-India Joint Business Council. In a statement, the Forum declared that the entire business community of the country stands firmly with the Pakistan Armed Forces.
The forum also announced that it will now boycott the Indian business community at all levels. It criticised the idea of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it “ridiculous.”
Additionally, the forum urged the Ministry of Commerce to suspend all agreements with the Indian Chambers of Commerce.
It also called on customs authorities to ensure that Indian goods imported from the Middle East are returned to their origin.
Finally, the Pakistan Business Forum issued a directive to all trade organisations, advising them not to participate in any SAARC meetings until further notice.
‘Diverting Pakistan’s water will be treated as act of war’, Islamabad warns New Delhi Call for Indian diplomats’ expulsion
The Supreme Court Bar Association has demanded that Indian diplomats be ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. The association has called for these diplomats to be declared as “persona non grata” and instructed to depart within the specified time frame.
‘Diverting Pakistan’s water will be treated as act of war’, Islamabad warns New Delhi The SCBA’s President, Mian Rauf, stated that they are aware of the diplomatic tensions arising from the Pahalgam incident and emphasised that a firm and effective response is essential to safeguard national dignity.
He further said that the allegations against Pakistan by India are a bundle of absurd lies, completely unfounded. The Pahalgam incident, he added, is a failed attempt to conceal Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.
Under the patronage of the Indian military, fundamental rights are being violated in occupied Kashmir, and India aims to divert attention from the war crimes being committed in the region.