Pahalgam attack: PM Shehbaz calls NSC meeting after India suspends Indus Waters Treaty

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) for Thursday morning to formulate Pakistan’s official response after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and announced a series of diplomatic and security measures.

The move comes after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 tourists were killed and 17 others injured.

India blamed cross-border terrorism for the incident and, in response, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced a suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”

The NSC — Pakistan's highest decision-making body for national security and foreign policy — includes top military leadership, intelligence officials, and key cabinet members. The meeting was confirmed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Read: Pahalgam Attack: India suspends Indus Waters Treaty, orders Pakistanis to leave within 48 hours

India also declared Pakistani defence advisers in its New Delhi high commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave the country.

In a further diplomatic downgrade, India said it would reduce the strength of Pakistan's diplomatic mission in New Delhi from 55 to 30 staff.

Additionally, India announced the closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to enter India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and those already in India have been asked to leave by May 1.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed concern over the loss of lives in the Anantnag district attack and extended condolences to the families of the victims.