After 26 tourists were killed in the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, India accused Pakistan and produced a story of strong retaliation against Pakistan, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, banned Pakistani diplomats, closed the Attari border crossing, and took other security and diplomatic actions, on the morning of April 24, 2025, prime minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan called an urgent meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad to discuss the escalating tensions with India. The NSC meeting, headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was attended by senior cabinet members, heads of intelligence and service, key federal ministries, and other high-ranking civil and military leaders.
The NSC session was convened to assess the internal and external security situation arising from India’s “hastily taken, impulsive and impractical” actions, as described by Pakistani officials, the government characterized the Pahalgam attack as a “false flag operation,” suggesting that it was orchestrated to escalate regional tensions and justify India’s aggressive measures. Pakistan’s Army Chief Asif Munir publicly stated that the possibility of a false flag operation cannot be ruled out, reflecting Islamabad’s skepticism about India’s narrative linking Pakistan to cross-border terrorism.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement governing water sharing between the two countries, which India accused Pakistan and said it would remain closed until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ceases alleged support for terrorism, the NSC also discussed India’s downgrading of diplomatic ties, expulsion of Pakistani defense officials from New Delhi, and closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, which has disrupted cross-border trade and transit.
Using social media to confirm the NSC meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized Pakistan intention to develop a deliberate and measured reaction to India activities. Protecting Pakistan national security interests while handling the diplomatic ramifications was the main topic of the committee's discussions, in the face of rising tensions officials emphasized the value of cooperation and moderation and urged global attention to the issue.
The NSC was called by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, demonstrating how seriously Pakistan takes the recent events, with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif allegedly returning from London to take part in strategic party meetings amid the turmoil, the meeting also takes place at a politically delicate moment at home, his participation indicates how important the matter is to Pakistan political climate.
Pakistan diplomatic and security stance in the upcoming weeks will be shaped by the NSC decisions, which will strike a balance between the necessity of a forceful response to Indian actions and attempts to prevent further escalation, the administration has called for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, reaffirmed its rejection of terrorism in all its manifestations, and denied any role in the Pahalgam incident.
The NSC session was convened to assess the internal and external security situation arising from India’s “hastily taken, impulsive and impractical” actions, as described by Pakistani officials, the government characterized the Pahalgam attack as a “false flag operation,” suggesting that it was orchestrated to escalate regional tensions and justify India’s aggressive measures. Pakistan’s Army Chief Asif Munir publicly stated that the possibility of a false flag operation cannot be ruled out, reflecting Islamabad’s skepticism about India’s narrative linking Pakistan to cross-border terrorism.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement governing water sharing between the two countries, which India accused Pakistan and said it would remain closed until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ceases alleged support for terrorism, the NSC also discussed India’s downgrading of diplomatic ties, expulsion of Pakistani defense officials from New Delhi, and closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, which has disrupted cross-border trade and transit.
Using social media to confirm the NSC meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized Pakistan intention to develop a deliberate and measured reaction to India activities. Protecting Pakistan national security interests while handling the diplomatic ramifications was the main topic of the committee's discussions, in the face of rising tensions officials emphasized the value of cooperation and moderation and urged global attention to the issue.
The NSC was called by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, demonstrating how seriously Pakistan takes the recent events, with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif allegedly returning from London to take part in strategic party meetings amid the turmoil, the meeting also takes place at a politically delicate moment at home, his participation indicates how important the matter is to Pakistan political climate.
Pakistan diplomatic and security stance in the upcoming weeks will be shaped by the NSC decisions, which will strike a balance between the necessity of a forceful response to Indian actions and attempts to prevent further escalation, the administration has called for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, reaffirmed its rejection of terrorism in all its manifestations, and denied any role in the Pahalgam incident.
