ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that a session of the National Security Committee (NSC) has been summoned on Thursday to decide on an appropriate response to the steps taken by New Delhi following the attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area.
The attack in IIOJK killed at least 26 people and injured 17 others when gunmen attacked a popular tourist spot. India, earlier today, took several measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and banning Pakistani nationals from entering its territory.
“A session of the National Security Committee will be held under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” said Asif in a statement, adding that decisions will be taken to give “an appropriate response to the Indian steps”. Asif said the issues raised by India would be discussed in tomorrow’s meeting.
He said that India cannot unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, as the agreement involves not just Pakistan and India, but other stakeholders as well, including the World Bank.
Asif warned that if India takes extreme steps under internal pressure, Pakistan is fully capable of responding, just as it did during the Abhinandan episode.
He further added that India has long sought to exit the treaty, but Pakistan remains prepared to respond with full force if necessary. –Agencies
