Pakistan Pauses Shimla Pact Amid Escalating Tension with India
Pakistan’s ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, law and Information addressing an press conference in Islamabad (Image credit X.com)
Pakistan Holds Press Conference Amid Escalating Tensions with India Over Pahalgam Attack
By TRH News Desk
New Delhi, April 24, 2025: Pakistan on Thursday walked out of the Shimla agreement, while also suspending its airspace for India amid mounting tension in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan also announced trade ban with India.
Pakistan convened a high-level press conference today following a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting to address the rapidly deteriorating relations with India after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 27 tourists.
The conference, attended by top civilian and military officials, outlined Pakistan’s response to India’s measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading of diplomatic ties.
Pakistani media outlets and experts on X provided insights into the escalating crisis, reflecting a mix of defiance and concern. During the press conference, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar rejected India’s accusations of Pakistan’s involvement in the attack, calling India’s actions “unilateral, politically motivated, and legally void.”
He warned that any attempt to divert the waters of the Indus River would be considered an “act of war,” emphasizing Pakistan’s reliance on the river for 90 per cent of its agriculture.
The NSC also announced retaliatory measures, including closing airspace to Indian airlines, suspending trade, and placing bilateral agreements like the Simla Agreement on hold, as reported by Dawn.
Pakistani media outlet The News International described the press conference as a “firm stand against India’s provocations,” quoting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the NSC meeting, saying, “Pakistan will not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty or resources.”
The outlet highlighted the government’s resolve to counter India’s narrative of Pakistan as a terrorism sponsor, with Sharif urging the international community to take note of India’s “belligerent posture”.
On X, former Pakistani diplomat Maleeha Lodhi unpacked the implications of the crisis, stating, “India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and diplomatic downgrading are escalatory steps that risk pushing the region into a dangerous spiral. Pakistan’s response, while measured, signals it won’t back down.”
Security analyst Taha Siddiqui on X offered a critical perspective, suggesting internal motivations behind Pakistan’s stance. “The military’s tough talk on India distracts from domestic unrest in Balochistan and economic woes. General Munir’s recent anti-India rhetoric is a playbook to rally public support,” he posted, pointing to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s earlier remarks calling Kashmir Pakistan’s “jugular vein”.
Geo News reported that the press conference also addressed India’s closure of the Attari land border and expulsion of Pakistani military advisers from Delhi. It quoted a senior official saying, “India’s actions are a deliberate attempt to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, but we are prepared to respond in kind.”
Experts on X warned of the broader implications. Defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa commented, “The tit-for-tat measures — airspace closures, trade suspensions — could devastate both economies. The Indus Waters Treaty is a flashpoint; any misstep risks military escalation.”
Her post echoed concerns in Express Tribune, which cautioned that the treaty’s suspension could lead to “catastrophic consequences for Pakistan’s agriculture and regional stability”.
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