Islamabad, April 24, 2025: In a sharp escalation of diplomatic hostilities, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires Geetika Srivastava to deliver a formal protest and a detailed démarche in response to what Islamabad termed as “provocative and unilateral actions” by New Delhi.
According to diplomatic sources, Srivastava was presented with a written communiqué outlining Pakistan’s stern response to India’s alleged false flag operation in Pahalgam and its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a move Pakistan deems illegal under international law.
During the meeting, Pakistani officials informed the Indian envoy that Islamabad has decided to downgrade diplomatic ties with India. This includes reducing the Indian High Commission’s staff strength in Islamabad to 30 personnel and declaring all defence, naval, and air attachés as persona non grata, requiring them to leave the country immediately.
“The decisions were formally communicated in writing, as part of Pakistan’s sovereign right to respond via established diplomatic protocols,” said a Foreign Office official.
While the diplomatic exchange unfolded, public anger was on full display outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the entrance to the Diplomatic Enclave, waving placards and chanting slogans against India’s recent actions.
Organized by civil society groups and political activists, the demonstration was aimed at condemning India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and its baseless allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack.
Protesters shouted slogans such as “Stop Indian Water Terrorism!” and “Modi Sarkar Murdabad!” while urging international institutions to intervene in what they described as India’s belligerent stance on water rights and regional security.
The protest remained peaceful but prompted a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces around the Diplomatic Enclave as a precaution. Demonstrators eventually dispersed after registering their protest.
Earlier in the day, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed a series of reciprocal steps, including the immediate suspension of all visa services to Pakistani nationals. In a statement, the ministry announced that:
- All existing Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked as of April 27.
- Medical visas for Pakistani patients will remain valid only until April 29.
- Pakistani nationals currently in India are required to leave the country before the amended expiry of their visas.
- Indian citizens are advised to avoid travel to Pakistan, while those currently in the country are urged to return at the earliest.
India has also decided to scale down its diplomatic presence in Islamabad, reducing staff at the Indian High Commission from 55 to 30 members. In parallel, Indian defence attachés posted in Pakistan have been ordered to return home.
On the diplomatic front, India earlier summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, to formally issue persona non grata notices to Pakistani military personnel posted in India.
