By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, April 24 (Bernama) -- Pakistan on Thursday announced a set of reciprocal measures in response to recent developments with India, following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam that has heightened tensions between the two neighbours.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad to decide on his country's response to India's downgrading of diplomatic relations, revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals, and holding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 "in abeyance".
Pakistan announced that it will close its airspace to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, and all trade with India, including trade with any third country through Pakistan, will be suspended with immediate effect.
Both countries have declared each other's military advisors posted at their diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Islamabad persona non grata.
The strength of their respective High Commissions will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members.
India and Pakistan have also announced visa revocation and suspensions.
While suspending all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals, Pakistan made an exception for Sikh religious pilgrims.
The Wagah-Attari border post has been closed.
Gunmen killed at least 26 people in a tourist spot in Pahalgam, about 90 kilometres from Jammu and Kashmir's main city, Srinagar, on Tuesday, igniting tensions between the two countries.
India, after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, announced that the river water distribution treaty "will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism".
The Pakistani statement following the top security body meeting stated that water is a vital national interest and a lifeline for its 240 million people, and its availability will be safeguarded.
-- BERNAMA
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