Pakistan has started responding to the terrorist attack in pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Several decisions were taken in the CCS meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence on wednesday (April 23, 2025), including decisions like stopping the Indus Water Treaty and stopping visas to Pakistanis.
Foreign Secretary vikram Misri said that during the meeting, the CCS strongly condemned the attack and the issue of cross-border relations was discussed. He said, "Several decisions were taken in the meeting, including the suspension of the india Water Treaty. The Attari border has been closed with immediate effect. Pakistani citizens will not be allowed to travel to india and they will not even get visas. All Pakistanis who are in india have 48 hours to go back." Considering the gravity of the pahalgam terror attack, the CCS took these decisions-
1. The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 will be suspended with immediate effect until pakistan credibly and irreversibly abandons its support to cross-border terrorism.
2. The check post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed with valid support may return through that route before 1 May 2025.
3. Pakistani nationals under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas will not be allowed to travel to India. Any SVES visa issued to Pakistani nationals in the past is deemed to have been cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in india under the SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.
4. The defence, military, naval and air advisers at the Pakistani High Commission in New delhi have been declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India. The staff strength of the High Commission has been reduced. india has asked pakistan to reduce its diplomatic presence in New delhi to 30 staff. The current strength will be reduced to 55.
5. india will withdraw its defence, naval and air advisers from the indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective high commissions will be deemed abolished.
What else happened in the meeting?
Foreign Secretary vikram Misri further said, "The CCS reviewed the entire security situation and directed all forces to maintain high alertness. It resolved that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors will be held accountable. Like the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, india will make sustained efforts to pursue those who have perpetrated terrorist acts or conspired to make them possible."
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