India's reckless 'act of war'

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan's civil and military leadership on Thursday warned India that any attempt to stop or divert its share of water would be considered as an act of war as tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated into a full-blown crisis.

A day after India's drastic move to suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty in response to the Pahalgam attack, which it blamed on Pakistan, the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) held an emergency session to take stock of the situation.

Headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the meeting was attended by three services chiefs, senior cabinet members and other officials.

The meeting was convened in response to India resorting to unprecedented measures including holding water accord in abeyance, closing Wagah-Attari border, expelling Pakistani military advisers and threatening a potential kinetic action.

The civil military leadership deliberated the situation arising out of the Pahalgam attack and discussed the Indian knee jerk reaction. The meeting also discussed the potential Indian misadventure and Pakistan's response.

It was decided that Pakistan would not bow to the Indian pressure and respond in kind both through diplomatic and other means.

A statement issued after the meeting outrightly rejected Indian allegations to Pakistan's involvement while expressing concerns at the loss of life.

"Expressing concern over the loss of tourists' lives, the Committee reviewed the Indian measures announced on 23 April 2025 and termed them unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit," the statement read.

Responding specifically to the Indian actions, Pakistan vehemently rejected 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, a lifeline for its 240 million people and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs. 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," it cautioned.

Noting the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations at will, Pakistan shall 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

It further said Pakistan shall 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 30 April 2025

"Pakistan suspends all visas under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals and deems 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, less Sikh pilgrims."

In a tit for tat move, Pakistan declared the Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata. They are directed to leave Pakistan immediately but not later than 30 April 2025. "These posts in the Indian High Commission are deemed annulled. Support staff of these Advisors are also directed to return to India."

The strength of Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from 30 April 2025, it said

Similarly, 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, it said

The National Security Committee 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- E- 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 their inalienable rights.

The National Security Committee made notes: Kashmir remains an unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India as recognized through multiple UN resolutions. Pakistan continues to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

"The continued Indian state oppression, abrogation of statehood, political and demographic gerrymandering, has persistently led to an organic backlash from the people of IIOJK, which perpetuates cycles of violence. India's systemic persecution of minorities, particularly Muslims, has become more pervasive. Attempts at forced passage of Waqf Bill is the latest effort to marginalize Muslims across India. India must resist the temptation to exploit such tragic incidents to its advantage and take full responsibility for its failure to provide security to the people."

It said Pakistan unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "As the world's front-line state against terrorism, Pakistan has suffered immense human and economic losses. Indian attempts to inject volatility in the environment along Pakistan's Eastern borders is aimed at distracting Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts. In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic."

It said India's worn-out narrative of victimhood cannot obfuscate its own culpability in fomenting terrorism on Pakistan's soil, nor can it distract attention from its systematic and state sponsored oppression and human rights violations in IIOJK.

Contrary to Indian claims, Pakistan has in its custody incontrovertible proof of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, including the confession of a serving Indian Navy officer, Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who remains a living testament to India's state-sponsored terrorist activities

The National Security Committee deplored the implicit threat contained in the Indian statement.

The international community ought to remain mindful of India's state sponsored extraterritorial assassinations or attempts on foreign soil. These heinous acts were carried out in blatant violation of international law as recently exposed by Pakistan along-with various other states with undeniable evidence. Pakistan will pursue all those responsible, planners and perpetrators alike and ensure that justice is served. Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains

It warned that India should refrain from its reflexive blame game and cynical staged managed exploitation of incidents like Pahalgam to further its narrow political agenda. Such tactics serve only to inflame tensions and obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region

Extremely irresponsible warmongering Indian state controlled media, fueling volatility in the regional calculus is reprehensive, which requires serious introspection

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that if India considers any adventurism on Pakistani soil, it should not be under any illusion - it will have to bear the consequences.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad after a meeting of the National Security Committee, flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other federal ministers, the Defence Minister said that if Pakistani citizens are not safe, India will also face the consequences. He claimed there is intelligence that India is planning terrorist activities in Pakistani cities.

He further stated that if India carries out any operation in a Pakistani city and causes harm to any Pakistani citizen, there will be a reciprocal response.

Khawaja Asif added that while Pakistan condemns terrorism wherever it occurs - including in India - it fully reserves the right to defend itself.

Accusing India, he said that terrorists, including members of the TTP, are present in Afghanistan and that links to terrorism in Pakistan trace back to India. He cited Kulbhushan Jadhav as living proof of Indian involvement in terrorism.

The Defence Minister also claimed that the banned Baloch Liberation Army and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan leaders are in India and even receive medical treatment there. He warned that no one should remain under any illusion - Pakistan is fully prepared and will give a strong response to any Indian adventurism.

"Just like we responded strongly to Pulwama in the past, a similar response will be given if India takes any such step again. We will not succumb to any international pressure."

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that key decisions were made during the National Security Committee meeting, and that India's allegations and actions are irresponsible. He said a statement had already been issued.

The Foreign Minister added that the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council had welcomed Pakistan's statement and considered it a positive step.

He also strongly opposed India's unilateral move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, stating it is unacceptable. India cannot do so as the World Bank was a guarantor of the treaty, which contains no clause allowing for unilateral suspension.

Dar warned that any obstruction of the treaty, diversion or stoppage of water, would be considered an act of war, as per the statement issued. If India takes such a step, Pakistan will take all necessary actions.

Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said the Indian government is behaving irresponsibly, resorting to baseless accusations without evidence. He urged India to present any evidence if it has any, adding that Pakistan has proof of foreign militants present in Indian-occupied Kashmir with heavy weapons, aided by Indian intelligence agencies.

He affirmed that Pakistan is keeping its friendly nations in the loop and is handling its affairs independently, without reliance on anyone.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, speaking at the press conference, said that India's actions are mere bluster and threats. Pakistan has responded twice as strongly and has taken the lead in the battle of narratives.

He added that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has no legal basis, and warned that closing Pakistani airspace would cause Indian airlines losses worth millions, which would impact India's economy.