In another retaliatory move against Pakistan after the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22 which killed 26 people, India on Saturday announced a ban on direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect, the Commerce Ministry said.
India also suspended exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes amid escalating tensions between the two nations.
As per the official notification, the provision in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) mentions prohibition of "direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with immediate effect until further orders".
India's Measures Against Pakistan: Moves So Far
Water Treaty Suspended, Visa Cancelled
In view of the cross-border linkages to the Pahalgam attack, India responded with a series of retaliatory measures against Pakistan including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), suspension of visas, closure of Wagah-Attari border amongst others.
Indian Airspace Closed
Six days after Islamabad barred Indian-operated flights from its airspace, New Delhi has responded in kind, announcing a complete ban on Pakistani-owned and operated aircraft from entering Indian airspace.
Pakistani Channels Banned
Previously, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels having a cumulative subscriber list of approximately 63 million for circulating provocative and communally sensitive content while also propagating misleading narratives against India.
The channels that were banned include Dawn News, SAMAA TV, Irshad Bhatti, ARY News, BOL News, Raftar, The Pakistan reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket. Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama.
Pak Actors' Social Media Handles Blocked
Recently, the official Instagram handles of several Pakistani actors, including Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan have been disabled in India. Several Indian users are currently unable to access their profiles.
Besides the two popular actors, the other Pakistani celebrities whose Instagram accounts have been disabled in India include Ali Zafar, Maya Ali, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas and Sajal Aly. However, the Instagram accounts of some other popular Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali are still visible in India.
Upon trying to access the Pakistani celebrities' Instagram accounts, the netizens in India are served with a message reading, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
India suspends exchange of mail, parcel services with Pak through air, surface routes
India also suspended exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes.
The order suspending the services was issued by the Department of Posts that operates under the Ministry of Communication.
Citing "cross-border linkages" to the horrific attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike.
