Pakistan on Thursday took a series of decisive diplomatic steps against India, following what it calls “politically motivated and unilateral” actions by New Delhi, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and visa services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires, Geetika Srivastava, to lodge a strong protest over the Pahalgam attack — which Pakistan has termed a false flag operation — and to formally deliver a written démarche detailing Pakistan's retaliatory measures.
Persona Non Grata
In a major move, Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic relations with India. It restricted the Indian High Commission's staff to 30 members, down from 55, and declared India's defence, naval, and air attachés persona non grata, ordering their immediate departure from Islamabad. The move marks a significant escalation amid rising cross-border tensions.
Sources verify that these decisions were formally communicated in writing, exercising Pakistan's sovereign right to react through formal legal and diplomatic means. PMO and National Security Committee (NSC) officials have also discussed the situation and supported the decisions during a security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Protest outside Indian High Commission
Adding to the mounting pressure, a massive civil protest erupted outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Dozens of civil society members waved placards and shouted slogans such as "Stop Indian Water Terrorism!" and "Modi Sarkar Murdabad!", condemning India’s unilateral actions and water-related aggression.
Demonstrators highlighted the potential regional instability, pointing to the binding nature of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Protesters urged the UN and international community to take immediate notice of what they called “irresponsible provocations” by the Modi regime.
India's visa ban and diplomatic retaliation
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the suspension of all visas for Pakistani nationals and revoked existing visas. Medical visas will only remain valid until April 29, while Indian nationals in Pakistan were advised to return immediately.
India has also decided to reduce its diplomatic staff in Islamabad to match Pakistan’s limit of 30 members and has already summoned Pakistani High Commissioner Saad Ahmad Warraich, declaring his military attachés persona non grata.
