In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Pakistan has declared its intent to place all bilateral agreements with India “in abeyance,” prominently naming the Simla Agreement, unless New Delhi halts what Islamabad alleges is "state-sponsored terrorism" on Pakistani soil. This assertion has triggered a diplomatic storm, as the Simla Agreement forms the cornerstone of Indo-Pak relations by legitimizing the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Cornered by India’s decisive countermeasures following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan's National Security Committee convened in an emergency session. After hours of deliberation, the committee opted to mirror India’s actions point for point—while also going further by issuing sweeping threats that could potentially unravel decades of diplomatic structure between the two nations.
In a retaliatory move, Islamabad suspended visa services for Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme and halted all other categories of visas, mirroring India’s steps from the previous day. Diplomatic presence will also be curtailed, with Pakistan ordering a reduction of Indian staff at the High Commission to a maximum of 30—a reciprocal action reflecting India's directive.
The flashpoint, however, remains India’s bold suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. In a sharp rebuttal, Pakistan warned that any attempts by India to divert or restrict water flows from the Indus, Jhelum, or Chenab rivers—lifelines for Pakistan’s agriculture and population—would be seen as a direct act of war. The statement vowed a full-spectrum national response, underscoring the potentially catastrophic impact such a move could have on a country already grappling with severe water shortages.
Among the broader retaliatory measures, Pakistan announced the immediate closure of the Wagah Border Post to all Indian cross-border transit, allowing only those with valid existing permissions to return until April 30, 2025. All trade with India, including via third countries using Pakistan as a transit route, has been frozen indefinitely. Pakistani airspace has also been shut to all Indian-owned and operated aircraft.
Of particular note is Pakistan’s decision to maintain an exception for Sikh religious pilgrims under the SAARC visa framework, signaling a desire to avoid further antagonizing religious sensitivities even amid an otherwise all-encompassing shutdown.
The implication of suspending the Simla Agreement is particularly explosive. Signed in the aftermath of the 1971 war, it established the LoC as the de facto border between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. Putting the agreement on hold calls into question the current military positioning and mutual recognition of this sensitive demarcation. Such a move risks destabilizing not only the already volatile region but the very foundation upon which Indo-Pak diplomacy is built.
In its concluding remarks, Pakistan's statement warned that its armed forces are on full alert and prepared to defend the nation’s sovereignty and integrity. It asserted an unwavering commitment to uphold national dignity and security, signaling that it sees the current developments as an existential challenge.
India has yet to issue an official response to Pakistan’s declarations, especially regarding the implications of suspending the Simla Agreement. However, with tensions at a boiling point and both nations trading diplomatic fire, the subcontinent finds itself navigating a precarious and increasingly volatile path.