Pakistan shuts down its ports for Indian ships amid escalating tensions
Hours after New Delhi implemented the new harsh penalties on Islamabad, including a ban on the import of products and the entry of Pakistani ships into its ports, Pakistan stopped Indian flag carriers from using its ports.
New Delhi [India] May 4: Hours after New Delhi implemented the new harsh penalties on Islamabad, including a ban on the import of products and the entry of Pakistani ships into its ports, Pakistan stopped Indian flag carriers from using its ports.
India banned the admission of Pakistani ships into its ports and the import of commodities from or passing through Pakistan on Saturday, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration that the nation is determined to take "firm and decisive" action against terrorists and those who support them.
Pakistan late Saturday ordered that any "Indian flag carriers shall not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port", Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper reported.
In view of the recent development of maritime situation with neighbouring country, Pakistan in order to safeguard maritime sovereignty, economic interest and national security enforces following measures with immediate effect: Indian flag carriers shall not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port, Pakistani flag carriers shall not visit any Indian port (and) any exemption or dispensation shall be examined and decided on case to case basis," the newspaper stated.
Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, defended his nation's vengeance against India on Saturday, claiming that the actions taken by his administration were "measured and responsible."
Shariff said to Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, the Turkey's ambassador, that "Pakistan's response was responsible and measured despite India's provocative actions following the Pahalgam incident.”
The leader of the PML(N) party stated that India has "yet to respond to Pakistan's offer to have a credible, transparent, and neutral international investigation to ascertain the facts behind the Pahalgam incident" and that Pakistan was being wrongly accused of the terrorist attack.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) said that along with stopping Pakistani ships from entering Indian ports, India additionally prohibited Indian ships from travelling to Pakistani ports. Officials stated that the limitations went into force immediately.
An Indian government directive states that all imports from Pakistan are prohibited, citing public policy and national security concerns.
The relations between the two countries hit a rock bottom after the deadly 22nd April Pahalgam terror attack.
- Aadrika Tayal
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