A day after India decided to hold the Indus Water Treaty at abeyance, Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office said any such attempt would be seen as an “act of war”. The country also announced a series of retaliatory actions including blocking its airspace for India and suspension of all trade activities.

Pakistan’s National Security Committee comprising top civilian and military leadership held its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday (April 24, 2025).

Follow Pahalgam attack updates on April 24

The Committee observed that Kashmir remains an unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India and reiterated its stand that Kashmiris have the right of self-determination. While “unequivocally” condemning the terror attack, the Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office stated, “In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic.”

The Committee decided to “vehemently reject” the Indian announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. “The Treaty is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension. Water is a Vital National Interest of Pakistan, a lifeline for its 240 million people and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs. Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty, and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of National Power,” a statement read.

In retaliation, Pakistan has decided to keep all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Pact in abeyance. Pakistan shall close down the Wagah Border Post, with immediate effect and all cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30, 2025.

Just like India, Pakistan too has suspended all visas under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals, but gave exception to Sikh pilgrims. It urged Indians in Pakistan to leave within 48 hours.

Declaring the Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in Islamabad as ‘persona non grata’, the country has asked them to leave by April 30, 2025. The strength of Indian High Commission in Islamabad shall be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from April 30, 2025.

Pakistan’s airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines. All trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan, has also been suspended.

The strength of Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members

The National Security Committee also said the country’s armed forces remain “fully capable and prepared” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure.

Expressing concern over the loss of tourists’ lives, the Committee reviewed the Indian measures announced on 23 April 2025 and termed them unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit

The National Security Committee made the following observations:

Kashmir remains an unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India as recognized through multiple UN resolutions. Pakistan continues to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The continued Indian state oppression, abrogation of statehood, political and demographic gerrymandering, has persistently led to an organic backlash from the people of IIOJK, which perpetuates cycles of violence. India’s systemic persecution of minorities, particularly Muslims, has become more pervasive. Attempts at forced passage of Waqf Bill is the latest effort to marginalize Muslims across India. India must resist the temptation to exploit such tragic incidents to its advantage and take full responsibility for its failure to provide security to the people

Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As the world’s front-line state against terrorism, Pakistan has suffered immense human and economic losses. Indian attempts to inject volatility in the environment along Pakistan’s Eastern borders is aimed at distracting Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic.

India’s worn-out narrative of victimhood cannot obfuscate its own culpability in fomenting terrorism on Pakistan’s soil, nor can it distract attention from its systematic and state sponsored oppression and human rights violations in IIOJK

Contrary to Indian claims, Pakistan has in its custody incontrovertible proof of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, including the confession of a serving Indian Navy officer, Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who remains a living testament to India’s state-sponsored terrorist activities

The National Security Committee deplored the implicit threat contained in the Indian statement of 23 April 2025. The international community ought to remain mindful of India’s state sponsored extraterritorial assassinations or attempts on foreign soil. These heinous acts were carried out in blatant violation of international law as recently exposed by Pakistan along-with various other states with undeniable evidence. Pakistan will pursue all those responsible, planners and perpetrators alike and ensure that justice is served. Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains

India should refrain from its reflexive blame game and cynical staged managed exploitation of incidents like Pahalgam to further its narrow political agenda. Such tactics serve only to inflame tensions and obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region

Extremely irresponsible warmongering Indian state controlled media, fueling volatility in the regional calculus is reprehensive, which requires serious introspection

The Committee decided the following:

Pakistan vehemently rejects the Indian announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The Treaty is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension. Water is a Vital National Interest of Pakistan, a lifeline for its 240 million people and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs. Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty, and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of National Power.

Noting the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations at will, Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India including but not limited to Simla Agreement in abeyance, till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; trans-national killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir

Pakistan shall close down the Wagah Border Post, with immediate effect. All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than 30 April 2025

Pakistan suspends all visas under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals and deems them cancelled with immediate effect, with the exception of Sikh religious pilgrims. Indian nationals currently in Pakistan under SVES are instructed to exit within 48 hours, less Sikh pilgrims

Pakistan declares the Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata. They are directed to leave Pakistan immediately but not later than 30 April 2025. These posts in the Indian High Commission are deemed annulled. Support staff of these Advisors are also directed to return to India

The strength of Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from 30 April 2025

Pakistan’s airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines. All trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan has also been suspended.

The National Security Committee also said the country’s armed forces remain “fully capable and prepared” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure.

DUBAI, UAE: AI startups from across the globe are increasingly choosing the UAE as their base, drawn by the country’s accelerating pace of innovation and growing reputation as a research and talent hub, speakers revealed at Dubai Assembly for AI, part of Dubai AI Week 2025.
In a session titled “Dubai as a Launchpad: Competing on the Global Stage”, Sachin Dev Duggal, founder and chief wizard of Builder.ai, shared why the startup moved its headquarters to Dubai. “There’s massive demand across the GCC, and the market’s inherent stability makes it the perfect base. The leadership here is incredibly open to building AI-powered platforms, and the legislation reflects that.”
He added, “I have a strong sense that the pace of innovation in Dubai is accelerating rapidly. When capital, talent, and R&D support are aligned, the UAE has all the ingredients to become a true global hub for advanced research and breakthrough technologies.”
Jad Antoun, CEO of Huspy, described the country’s Golden Visa programme as a “gamechanger,” adding that the UAE “provides the stability to build a global company–and attract great talent.”
Lin Kayser, CEO of Leap71, reflected on his move to Dubai saying, “I’ve been founding companies for 30 years, and when we moved here, it was a breath of fresh air. People were supportive and open. They said: That’s cool–let’s do it.”
In a session titled “Global CAIOs: Early Study Findings by Dubai Future Foundation & IBM”, attendees heard how AI is transforming Dubai’s government entities.
Mohammed AlMudharreb,executive director of the Corporate Technical Support Services Sector and CAIO at RTA, said, “Our chatbot has already handled over 23 million conversations. These are the results you get when data, alignment, and execution come together–but we’re still just scratching the surface.”
Juma AlGhaith, advisor to the general manager and CAIO at Dubai Customs, stated, “AI isn’t just improving how things work–it’s giving us a chance to rethink and transform them completely.”
Mario Nobile, Director-General of the Agency for Digital Italy, emphasised that “coordination, not competition, will define AI leadership.”
Presenting findings from a new global survey of 624 Chief AI Officers across 22 countries, Anthony Marshall, Senior Research Director at the IBM Institute for Business Value, said, “Only 25 percent of executives believe their infrastructure is ready for AI at scale. While the average CAIO leads a team of just five people, the expectations placed on them are enormous.”
A panel titled ‘Fuelling the Future: Investing in AI Startups within Dubai’s Ecosystem’ showcased how Dubai is cultivating a thriving AI startup landscape.
Akshat Prakash, CTO and Co-founder of CAMB.AI, said, “Dubai offers a rare combination of cultural diversity, strategic location, and a supportive innovation ecosystem–making it an ideal environment to build a truly global company.”
Nuha Hashem, Co-founder of CozmoX AI, highlighted the region’s proactive role in the AI age, noting, “During the dotcom boom, this region lagged in adoption. But with AI, we’re building in real time. Companies here aren’t just catching up–they’re creating world-first solutions, sometimes before the trend even goes global.”
She added, “As a female founder in the UAE, I feel empowered. Your vision and your work matter more than your gender–and that’s powerful.”
In a fireside chat titled ‘Revolutionising Education Through Metaverse and AI’, Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, compared today’s AI revolution to the early resistance against calculators in schools.
“Back then, people weren’t allowed to use calculators in math. Today, the same accusations are being thrown at AI. But just like calculators deepened our understanding, AI will do the same across subjects,” he said.
He warned that without accessible infrastructure, AI could widen global inequalities: “Governments once subsidised calculators until solar versions solved the energy issue. But AI requires compute and training data. Without grants and licences, it won’t be equally accessible–and we risk creating a digital divide.”

Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Hong Kong‘s outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen was allowed to leave the southern Chinese city to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City.

“Cardinal Zen, a 93-year-old retired bishop, left Hong Kong on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) night after applying at a court to get back his passport,” his secretary told The Associated Press in a text message on Thursday (April 24, 2025.)

Authorities confiscated his passport after his controversial arrest under a Beijing-imposed national security law in 2022.

Pope Francis’ body transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for 3 days of public viewing

Cardinal Zen is among the critics in recent years who have said the Vatican’s agreement with Chinese authorities on the appointment of bishops betrays pro-Vatican Chinese Catholics.

He has also criticised Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the official charged with negotiations with Beijing, as a “man of little faith.” Mr. Parolin is considered one of the main contenders to be the next Pope, given his prominence in the Catholic hierarchy.

On Tuesday (April 22, 2025), media reports said Cardinal Zen had issued a critique of the Vatican, questioning why pre-conclave meetings started as early as Tuesday (April 22, 2025). The AP could not independently verify the reports, but Cardinal Zen reposted the reporters’ posts about his statement on his X account.

Pope Francis death updates: Public viewing of pontiff in St. Peter’s Basilica from April 23, funeral on April 26

His secretary said Cardinal Zen would return to Hong Kong after the late Pope’s funeral, which is scheduled for Saturday (April 26, 2025). But she was unsure about his exact return date.

It was not the first time he had to go through the city’s court to leave Hong Kong. In 2023, he went through similar procedures to pay his respects to the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Zen was first arrested in 2022 on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under the security law. His arrest sent shockwaves through the Catholic community at that time.

While Cardinal Zen has not yet faced national security-related charges, he and five others were fined in 2022 after being found guilty of failing to register a now-defunct fund that aimed to help people arrested in widespread 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. A hearing on his appeal against the conviction is scheduled for December.

The life and times of Pope Francis

Separately, Hong Kong Cardinal Stephen Chow will travel to the Vatican for the conclave, the city’s Catholic Social Communications Office said on Thursday (April 24, 2025.)

In 2023, a Beijing bishop who was installed by China’s state-controlled Catholic church as an archbishop visited Hong Kong at the invitation of Cardinal Chow. It was the first-ever official visit by a Beijing bishop to the city.

Experts at that time said Cardinal Chow’s invitation was a symbolic gesture that could strengthen the fragile ties between China and the Vatican.

Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties following the Chinese Communist Party’s rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. Since the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those who belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and those in an underground church loyal to the Pope.

The Vatican recognises members of both as Catholics but claims the exclusive right to choose bishops.