Pakistan has responded with a series of tit-for-tat measures against India, escalating tensions after New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting cross-border terrorism following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
National Security Committee’s Response
On April 24, 2025, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad, attended by top military officials, including Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir. The NSC issued a statement vowing “firm reciprocal measures in all domains” to counter any threats to Pakistan’s sovereignty, as reported by Dawn. The meeting was a direct response to India’s punitive actions, which included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and downgrading diplomatic ties after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam killed 26 tourists on April 22, 2025.
[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1906075)
Pakistan’s Countermeasures
Pakistan’s NSC announced a robust set of retaliatory measures, mirroring India’s actions and further straining bilateral relations. According to Arab News, these include:
- Diplomatic Expulsions: Indian military advisers in Pakistan were declared “persona non grata” and ordered to leave immediately.
- Visa Cancellations: Visas for Indian nationals were canceled, except for Sikh pilgrims, with Indians in Pakistan given 48 hours to depart.
- Border and Airspace Closure: The Wagah border was closed, and Pakistan’s airspace was barred to Indian-operated airlines.
- Trade Suspension: All trade with India, including through third countries, was halted.
- Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan warned that any attempt by India to divert water from the Indus River would be treated as an “act of war,” with a response using “full force.” [](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598257/pakistan)[](https://x.com/MeghUpdates/status/1915360027424284990)
Context of the Escalation
The diplomatic crisis stems from a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri cited “cross-border linkages” to the attack, prompting severe measures like suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, critical for Pakistan’s agriculture. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called India’s actions “inappropriate” and lacking evidence, suggesting they were a “political ploy,” as noted by Hindustan Times. Pakistan’s NSC meeting emphasized a unified response, with state-run Radio Pakistan labeling the Pahalgam attack a “false flag operation” by India.
[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/focus-shifts-to-pakistan-s-response-to-india-s-punitive-measures-101745480084133.html)[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1906075)Implications for India-Pakistan Relations
The tit-for-tat measures have pushed India-Pakistan relations to a new low, with both nations suspending key bilateral agreements like the Simla Agreement, as reported on X. Pakistan’s Power Minister Awais Leghari described India’s treaty suspension as “water warfare,” vowing to defend water rights legally and politically. The closure of the Wagah border and trade suspension will impact both economies, with Pakistan heavily reliant on the Indus River. Analysts, such as Ajai Sahni from the South Asia Terrorism Portal, argue that ongoing militancy in Kashmir, fueled by cross-border dynamics, makes lasting peace elusive without a political solution. For the latest developments, visit Planet-Today.com.
[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/india-downgrades-pakistan-ties-after-attack-on-kashmir-tourists)[](https://x.com/VikramadityaSR1/status/1915106369931514258)Author: Planet-Today.com
Pakistan India cross-border terrorism Pahalgam attack National Security Committee Indus Waters Treaty diplomatic crisis border closure