New Delhi, May 4 - Hours after India imposed fresh sanctions against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has also closed its ports for ships flying the Indian tricolour. Earlier, India had on Saturday suspended all postal services with Pakistan and banned the entry of Pakistani-flagged ships into Indian ports as fresh sanctions against Islamabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country is committed to 'firm and decisive' action against terrorists and their supporters. According to Pakistani news outlet 'Dawn', following the sanctions imposed by India, Pakistan said in its orders issued late on Saturday that no ship flying the Indian tricolour will be allowed to enter any Pakistani port and Pakistani ships will not be allowed to stop at any Indian port.
According to the daily, “In view of the recent developments in the maritime situation with the neighbouring country, Pakistan has taken the following steps with immediate effect, keeping in mind maritime sovereignty, economic interests and national security: Indian flagged vessels will not be allowed to enter any Pakistani port, no Pakistani flagged vessel will call at any Indian port (and in this regard) any exemption or arrangement will be reviewed and a decision will be taken on a case-by-case basis.”
‘Dawn’ in this news quoted orders issued by the Ports and Shipping Branch of Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs late on Saturday night. Relations between the two neighbouring countries have become strained after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
Amid rising tensions with the neighbouring country over the Pahalgam terror attack, India on Saturday suspended all classes of mail and parcels with Pakistan through air and land routes. At the same time, according to the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), apart from banning the entry of Pakistani ships into Indian ports, India has also stopped Indian ships from visiting Pakistani ports.