Amid growing speculation and escalating tensions with India, Pakistan has firmly denied claims that it has withdrawn from the historic Simla Agreement, terming such reports “baseless and misleading.” The Foreign Office clarified that no decision has been made to suspend or terminate the pact, which has served as a critical framework for bilateral relations since its signing in 1972.
The clarification followed remarks by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who, during a television interview, stated that Pakistan-India relations had regressed to the 1948 status and declared the Simla Agreement “terminated.” He criticized India’s ruling ideology, calling it a regional threat, and suggested that the Line of Control should now be treated as a ceasefire line.
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However, the Foreign Ministry quickly countered the minister’s comments, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the agreement and emphasizing its importance in ensuring regional stability. The Simla Agreement, signed in the aftermath of the 1971 war, remains a key diplomatic tool for managing the complex relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Tensions between the countries have intensified following a deadly incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. India swiftly blamed Pakistan without offering evidence or allowing an independent investigation. In response, Pakistan proposed a neutral international probe but was met with inflammatory rhetoric from New Delhi.
As India hints at further unilateral moves, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan has called for restraint while warning that any provocation will be met with a firm response. The Foreign Office concluded, “Our commitment to peace must not be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness.”
