By The Sampadak Express
The Indian government has imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Pakistan, citing national security concerns following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22.
In a notification issued on Friday, the Ministry of Commerce stated that the ban takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice. “All goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether directly or indirectly, freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect,” the ministry said, adding that any exceptions will require prior government approval.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours after the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist and a local guide, were killed when militants opened fire in the Baisaran meadow. Indian authorities have linked the attackers to Pakistan based terror outfits, further straining bilateral ties.
In addition to halting trade, India has also closed the Wagah-Attari border trade route the only operational land corridor for goods movement between the two countries.
This latest ban follows a steady decline in imports from Pakistan since the 2019 Pulwama attack, after which India imposed a 200% customs duty on Pakistani goods. By 2024–25, Pakistan’s share in India’s imports had dwindled to less than 0.0001%. The minimal trade that remained included pharmaceuticals, fruits, and oilseeds.
The import suspension is part of a broader diplomatic and economic crackdown. India has already suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial water-sharing agreement signed in 1960, warning that continued terrorism could impact Pakistan’s access to vital river systems.
Additionally, New Delhi has revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, including those for medical treatment, and ordered Pakistani citizens residing in India to leave within a stipulated timeframe.
In response, Pakistan has threatened to withdraw from all bilateral agreements with India, including the landmark Simla Agreement. Diplomatic ties have been downgraded, and military tensions have flared along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC), with Indian forces reporting provocative cross-border firing.
As the situation unfolds, regional stability remains uncertain, and international observers are closely monitoring developments.
