Pakistan bans Indian-flagged vessels from its ports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan officially banned Indian-flagged vessels from accessing its ports, a move that follows India’s recent imposition of a ban on imports from Pakistan and the entry of Pakistan ships into Indian ports.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs announced the decision late Saturday, citing the need to safeguard maritime sovereignty, economic interests and national security.

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The ban comes in the wake of an attack in the Indian-occupied Kashmir, where gunmen shot dead 26 people in Pahalgam. Following the incident, the hardliner Indian government of Narendra Modi implemented a blanket ban on imports originating from or transitioning through Pakistan.  

The ban was “effective immediately”, and also prohibited Pakistani ships from docking at Indian ports.

In response to Indian aggression, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs issued a formal order stating that Indian flag carriers would not be permitted to visit any Pakistani port. The directive also prohibits Pakistani vessels from calling at Indian ports.

The recent maritime restrictions are part of a broader pattern of retaliatory measures between the neighbouring arch-rivals. India suspended the exchange of mail and parcels with Pakistan via air and land, following a breakdown of diplomatic relations and the suspension of Indus Water Treaty.

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Pakistan in turn, suspended trade and Simla Agreement with India, while closing its airspace, which is reported to cause Air India upwards of $600 million in losses.

With everything brewing all at once, the Pakistani army also announced the successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometres. The army stated that the exercise aimed to ensure operational readiness and validate key technical parameters.