ISLAMABAD, April 24, 2025 — Pakistan has officially announced the closure of the Wagah border and suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement in a sharp response to what it called India’s “politically motivated and baseless” actions following the deadly Pahalgam attack in India-held Kashmir.
The decision came during a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by top civil and military leaders. The meeting was called to formulate Pakistan’s response after India blamed Islamabad for an armed assault in the tourist region of Pahalgam that left 26 people dead.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the committee reviewed the internal and external security environment and condemned India’s measures announced on April 23, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading of diplomatic ties.
“The NSC categorically rejected India’s narrative, calling it a false flag operation designed to divert attention from its domestic crises and violations in Kashmir,” the statement said. It added that India’s response was “unilateral, unjust, and devoid of legal merit.”
Among other retaliatory steps, Pakistan has suspended cross-border movement at the Wagah checkpoint and frozen all bilateral dialogue under the Simla Agreement, a cornerstone of post-1971 diplomacy between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Meanwhile, concerns are rising over growing reports of harassment faced by Kashmiri students and civilians in India, as social media restrictions and diplomatic hostilities escalate.
The Pakistani leadership warned that India’s actions represent a dangerous disregard for international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The NSC reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace but made it clear that “any aggression will be responded to with full national resolve.”
