Pakistan shuts border, airspace to Indian airlines, suspends trade

Pakistan on Thursday announced closure of the Wagah Border Post with India with immediate effect and suspension of all cross-border transit from India through this route without exception.

- Tariq Butt

Pakistan on Thursday announced closure of the Wagah Border Post with India with immediate effect and suspension of all cross-border transit from India through this route without exception.

Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than 30 April 2025. Pakistan also said that the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian (by India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)) will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum.

The tit-for-tat announcements took relations between the neighbours to the lowest level in years.

Several key decisions were announced in a statement issued following a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and attended by important cabinet ministers and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and other top military commanders.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar challenged India to present any concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the recent deadly attack in occupied Kashmir.

Speaking at a presser after the NSC's meeting, Dar said, "India keeps playing the blame game. If there is any proof of Pakistan's role in the Pahalgam attack, bring it forward." He added that Pakistan has responded more strongly to India's actions - even closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.