Pahalgam attack fallout: Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad

NEW DELHI: In a retaliatory move, Pakistan has shut its ports for ships coming from India after the latter banned imports from the neighbouring nation in another economic crackdown after the Pahalgam terror attack.

"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," Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported quoting its ministry of maritime affairs' ports and shipping wing.

India has imposed a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan, citing national security and public policy concerns, according to an official order. While a 200% import duty following the 2019 Pulwama attack had already curtailed direct trade, the new restrictions also block Pakistani goods arriving via third countries.

The move comes just over a week after India rolled out a series of punitive measures against Pakistan—including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari land border crossing, and downgrading diplomatic ties—in response to the recent terror attack.

Relations between India and Pakistan plunged after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. In response to the escalating tensions, India imposed fresh punitive measures, including the immediate suspension of mail and parcel exchanges with Pakistan by both air and land routes.