DE News Desk :
Pakistan has taken sweeping measures in response to India’s recent actions, closing its land and air borders to Indian entities and suspending diplomatic and trade ties.
The move follows a high-level National Security Committee (NSC) meeting convened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday, amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
In a statement released after the meeting, which was attended by senior military and intelligence officials including Army Chief General Asim Munir, the Pakistani government announced the immediate closure of its airspace to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines.
Additionally, the key Wagah border crossing in Punjab has been sealed for all forms of transit.
“All cross-border movement from India through this route is suspended without exception,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
“All trade involving India — including goods routed through third countries — is also halted with immediate effect.”
The government further announced the cancellation of Indian visas, barring those granted for Sikh religious pilgrimages, and the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, who have been declared persona non grata.
The measures come in the wake of a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir earlier this week, which left 26 people dead.
India responded by suspending a long-standing water-sharing agreement, downgrading diplomatic relations with Pakistan, and revoking visas for Pakistani citizens.
In its statement, Pakistan warned that any attempt by India to disrupt the flow of water from the Indus River system would be treated as “an act of war” and vowed to respond with “full force across the complete spectrum of national power.”
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty or the safety of its people would be met with “firm reciprocal measures in all domains.”