The Foreign Office of Pakistan has dismissed reports that the country has withdrawn from the historic Simla Agreement with India. Officials stated clearly that no official decision has been made to cancel any bilateral treaty, including the Simla Accord. This clarification came hours after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Pakistan had ended the agreement.
Earlier on Thursday, Asif told a private news channel that Pakistan had “officially withdrawn” from the Simla Agreement. He also said the Line of Control (LoC) would now be recognized as a ceasefire line, which aligns with Pakistan’s pre-1972 position. According to him, the original status of the LoC has been restored as part of this move.
The Simla Agreement, signed after the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, was a key bilateral deal. It focused on peaceful relations and recognized the LoC as a boundary in the disputed Kashmir region. The agreement also stressed solving disputes through direct dialogue and without involving third parties.
Asif’s remarks follow recent tension between the two countries. India unilaterally withdrew from the Indus Waters Treaty, further straining relations. Last month, both sides exchanged fire across the border, raising fears of a wider conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
While the Foreign Office aims to cool speculation, the minister’s statement has raised confusion. It remains unclear whether Pakistan’s policy has shifted or if the announcement was premature. Observers now await further clarification from the government and any possible response from India.