Pakistan decides to downgrade diplomatic relations, suspend bilateral trade with India

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee at the Prime Minister’s Office. 

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Interior Minister Brig. (R) Ijaz Shah, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Law Minister Mohammad Farogh Naseem, Advisor on Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Foreign Affairs Secretary Sohail Mahmood, CJCSC, COAS, CAS, CNS, SAPM on Information, DG-ISI, DG-ISPR, and other senior officers. 

The Committee discussed the situation arising out of unilateral and illegal actions by the Indian government, the situation inside Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and along LOC. The Committee decided to take the following actions:

Downgrading of diplomatic relations with India

Suspension of bilateral trade with India

Review of bilateral arrangements

Matter to be taken to the United Nations, including the Security Council

Pakistan’s Independence Day on 14 August is to be observed in solidarity with the brave Kashmiris and their just struggle for their right of self-determination. Furthermore, 15 August will be observed as Black Day. 

PM Khan directed that all diplomatic channels be activated to expose the Indian regime’s designs and human rights violations. PM directed the Armed Forces to continue vigilance.