India Imposes Total Import Ban on Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack Amid Escalating Tensions

Pahalgam Attack: India has banned all imports from the neighbouring country amid soaring tensions over the Pahalgam terror attack. The decision has been taken in the interest of national security and public policy, the government said, stressing that it applies to all products in transit from Pakistan.

A notification by the Commerce Ministry said a provision has been added to the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 to prohibit "Direct or indirect Import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders."

"This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India," the notification added.

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While the 200% import duty imposed in 2019 after the Pulwama attack had largely halted direct trade, the new directive also blocks Pakistani goods routed through third countries.

These steps come on the heels of earlier Indian actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari land border crossing, and the downgrading of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

India had also cancelled all visas of Pakistani nationals. Those living in India were given a deadline to leave Indian soil. This included those medical visas, too. Pakistan, in response, had threatened to suspend all bilateral pacts with India, including the Simla agreement. The two countries have also downgraded diplomatic ties.

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Instagram accounts of more Pakistani stars, including Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Mawra Hocane of “Sanam Teri Kasam” fame as well as veteran singer Abida Parveen, have been blocked in India following the Pahalgam attack.

Earlier this week, Instagram accounts of popular Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Sanam Saeed, Ali Zafar, Bilal Abbas, lqra Aziz, Ayeza Khan, Imran Abbas and Sajal Aly were also blocked. (PTI)

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