Pakistan on Edge After India's Diplomatic Response to Pahalgam Attack; Emergency NSC Meeting Called in Islamabad

April 24, 2025 — Islamabad, Pakistan — Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following New Delhi’s announcement of a series of diplomatic and strategic countermeasures in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Chief among these is the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement that has long served as a rare example of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

India’s strong measures have rattled Pakistan’s federal government, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to call an emergency session of the National Security Committee (NSC) early Thursday morning. According to The Express Tribune, the high-level meeting will include the Prime Minister, key cabinet ministers, the army chief, and intelligence heads.

India’s Five-Pronged Response Sparks Diplomatic Shockwaves

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced five decisive measures late Wednesday in New Delhi, branding them a “firm response to cross-border terrorism.” The most impactful is the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which has been in place since 1960 and governs the distribution of river waters between India and Pakistan.

Misri stated that the treaty would remain suspended “until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.” He directly linked Pakistan to the deadly Pahalgam attack, calling the action not just a breach of peace, but a calculated move against India’s sovereignty.

Pakistan Reacts with Condolences but No Direct Denial

In an official statement quoted by The Express Tribune, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar expressed “concern over the loss of life in the Pahalgam attack” and offered condolences to the victims’ families. However, Islamabad has refrained from directly addressing New Delhi’s accusations, raising questions about its diplomatic stance in the evolving crisis.

What’s at Stake: Regional Stability and Water Security

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty represents a major diplomatic escalation, as the agreement has historically withstood multiple wars and periods of tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Analysts warn that this move could further destabilize South Asia, with water security and transboundary resource management now squarely in the crosshairs of geopolitical friction.

Pakistan, which heavily relies on the Indus River system for irrigation and drinking water, could face significant consequences if India follows through on the treaty’s suspension. The emergency NSC meeting is expected to chart a path forward, possibly involving international appeals or backchannel diplomacy.

India’s actions come amid growing calls for a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, particularly after the deadly attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists.