Pakistan bans Indian flagged cargo from entering its ports

KARACHI: In response to rising tensions following the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Pakistan has banned Indian-flagged cargo vessels from entering its ports.

According to reports, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has formally notified that no Indian-flagged ships will be allowed to dock at Pakistani ports.

In a reciprocal move, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has also directed that no Pakistani-flagged ships will be allowed to dock at Indian ports, citing the current escalation in tensions between the two nations. This decision reflects the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and India.

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, mostly tourists. Without providing any evidence, India accused Pakistan of being responsible for the attack.

Following this, India announced several measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 and closing the Attari and Wagah borders.

The Indian government also announced that Pakistani nationals would no longer be able to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption, and India would recall all its defense attachés from Islamabad. These actions have further strained relations between the two nations.

In response to India’s announcement to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan rejected the move, stating that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the treaty would be considered an act of war and would be responded to with full force.

Additionally, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights, dealing a significant blow to Indian airlines, which have reportedly incurred losses amounting to Rs 2 billion in just a few days due to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace.