Islamabad, April 24, 2025 – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, strongly rejected India’s claims of Pakistan’s role in the Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and urging India to provide solid proof. At a press conference with senior officials, Dar cautioned that any Indian move to unilaterally cancel the Indus Waters Treaty would lead Pakistan to reassess its obligations under the Simla Agreement and other bilateral pacts.
“If India dares to terminate the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan will evaluate withdrawing from the Simla Agreement and other mutual agreements,” Dar declared. “We are fully capable of responding to any aggression without external support, and India will face a decisive response.”
Escalating Tensions and Diplomatic Measures
Following Pakistan’s National Security Committee meeting, which denounced India’s “provocative unilateral actions,” a press conference outlined retaliatory measures. Pakistan announced the closure of the Wagah border, a reduction of the Indian High Commission’s staff in Islamabad to 30 by April 30, and declared India’s defense, air, and naval attachés persona non grata, ordering their departure within days. These steps escalate tensions, reflecting Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India’s actions and signaling a significant diplomatic rift.
Dar also revealed that Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian commercial flights, a move expected to disrupt Indian airlines significantly. Indian nationals in Pakistan, excluding Sikh pilgrims, have been given 48 hours to depart the country.
Allegations of Foreign Involvement
Dar raised concerns about the presence of “foreign nationals” in Srinagar, allegedly under surveillance by Pakistani intelligence. He suggested that these individuals, reportedly linked to Indian intelligence, were attempting to smuggle explosives, hinting at potential destabilizing activities. “Our armed forces are on high alert and ready to neutralize any threat,” he affirmed.
Indus Waters Treaty at the Core
The Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old agreement mediated by the World Bank, has been a cornerstone of water-sharing arrangements between the two nations. Dar emphasized that any attempt by India to disrupt water supplies to Pakistan’s 240 million citizens would be considered an “act of war.” He noted that Pakistan has formally notified the World Bank of India’s reported intentions and is prepared to explore further diplomatic options.
A senior official from Pakistan’s Indus Waters Treaty Commission clarified that the treaty cannot be unilaterally dissolved. “It has withstood the test of time, even during wars. Only a mutual decision by both nations can alter its status,” the official stated.
Defense Minister Questions India’s Narrative
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused India of orchestrating “false-flag operations” to malign Pakistan, pointing to the Pahalgam attack as a possible example. “India has yet to officially link Pakistan to the incident, despite media speculation,” Asif said. He questioned the competence of Indian security forces in Kashmir, one of the world’s most militarized regions, where such an attack occurred.
Asif also took aim at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referencing Modi’s controversial tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister during the 2002 riots. “No global leader has been branded a terrorist by a major power the way Modi has,” Asif remarked, alluding to past U.S. visa restrictions on Modi.
United Front Against Aggression
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described India’s rhetoric as “immature grandstanding” and underscored the financial toll of the airspace ban on Indian carriers. “Pakistan has moved beyond words to action,” Tarar said, signaling a resolute stance.
Dar concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to preventing its territory from being used for cross-border activities while cautioning India against miscalculating Pakistan’s resolve. “Should India choose the path of confrontation, the consequences will be severe,” he warned.
As tensions simmer, the international community watches closely, with the Indus Waters Treaty emerging as a potential flashpoint in the volatile India-Pakistan relationship
