Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, April 24, chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to assess the situation following India’s strong response to the Pahalgam attack.
The high-level meeting, attended by senior civilian and military officials, resulted in key decisions, including the closure of Pakistani airspace to all Indian airlines and the shutting down of the Wagah border crossing.
In a press release, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office announced that the strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, effective April 30, 2025. The statement also declared a complete suspension of trade with India, including goods transiting through Pakistan to or from any third country.
This development follows key decisions made by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security on April 23 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Among the measures was the immediate suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Additionally, India has decided to downgrade diplomatic ties, including the expulsion of all defence, naval, and air advisors from the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the central government on Thursday, April 24, suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.
The Ministry of External Affairs announced that all Pakistani citizens currently in India must leave the country, as their visas will be revoked starting April 27. Additionally, the MEA has urged Indian citizens to avoid travelling to Pakistan and advised those currently there to return home without delay.
