Indo-Pak tension after Pahalgam attack: Shahbaz Sharif's emergency meeting on cancellation of Indus Waters Treaty, these are Pakistan's counter steps

New Delhi: India's tough steps after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025—suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closure of the Attari-Wagah Border—have created a stir in Pakistan. 28 people were killed in the attack, for which The Resistance Front (TRF), an ally of Lashkar-e-Taiba, took responsibility. In response to these steps by India, Pakistan has taken emergency steps, which has brought tensions between the two countries to a peak. #PahalgamRevenge and #IndusTreaty are trending on X. Let's understand Pakistan's counter steps and their effects with facts.

India's action: Pressure on Pakistan

After the attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, India took five major decisions in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on 23 April. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told in a press conference that the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 is suspended until Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism. Apart from this:

1. The Integrated Check Post of Attari-Wagah Border closed.
2. Pakistani citizens ordered to leave India within 48 hours, SAARC visas cancelled.
3. Military advisors of the Pakistani High Commission declared persona non grata.
4. The number of employees in the High Commissions of both countries reduced from 55 to 30.

These steps will have a profound impact on Pakistan's agriculture, power generation, and trade. India gathered global support by informing diplomats of 20 countries about the attack.

Pakistan's countermeasures

Frustrated by India's action, Pakistan called an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee on April 24, which was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan's countermeasures are as follows:

1. Indian visa suspension: Pakistan suspended all visas of Indian citizens, except Sikh pilgrims. Indian citizens were ordered to leave Pakistan within 48 hours.
2. Airspace ban: Pakistani airspace was closed for Indian airlines, forcing India to take alternate routes.
3. Diplomatic response: Demand was made to reduce the staff of India's Islamabad High Commission. Pakistan recalled its military advisers from India.
4. Complaints on global forums: Shahbaz Sharif sought intervention from the United Nations and the World Bank, calling India's Indus Water Treaty suspension "like war".
5. Military alert: The Pakistani army was put on high alert along the Line of Control (LoC) and in PoK. According to intelligence, 42 terrorist launch pads are active in PoK.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, "India should not take steps like surgical strikes. We condemn terrorism in all its forms." Former minister Fawad Hussain claimed that in case of an Indian attack "Pakistan will respond unitedly."

Reaction from public and experts

Pakistani users on X described India's actions as "aggressive", while Indian users praised the government's action.@parasharji24 wrote, "Pahalgam's revenge! Attari sealed, Indus Treaty cancelled!" Former diplomat Abdul Basit, quoted by Pakistani newspaper 'Express Tribune', said that India's water treaty suspension is "symbolic" because India does not have the infrastructure to stop the water.

Experts believe that Pakistan's economy, which is already weak, could be further hit by water and trade restrictions. The Karachi Stock Exchange saw a 5% decline on 24 April.

Regional and global impact

The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty will affect 80% of Pakistan's agriculture and power generation. The airspace closure will force India to take longer routes, increasing the cost of flights. Globally, the US and the UK supported India's actions, while China called on both sides to exercise "restraint".

Future Fears

Pakistan's military alertness and the presence of terror launch pads in PoK have raised fears of a military confrontation. UK defence editor Shashank Joshi claimed on X that India could take military action by the end of May 2025. If India conducts a surgical strike or takes action in PoK, a war situation could arise.

Conclusion

India's tough actions after the Pahalgam attack—the Indus Water Treaty suspension and the Attari border closure—forced Pakistan to retaliate. Visa suspensions, airspace restrictions, and military alertness have escalated tensions between the two countries. Will this diplomatic tension turn into war, or will global mediation handle the situation? The next few days will determine the future of the region.