Kashmir Issue: Pakistan suspends cultural, trade and diplomatic relations with India

Sheikh Rasheed (Pakistan Today)

By Nasir Aijaz
AsiaN Correspondent

Islamabad: Pakistan has suspended cultural, trade and diplomatic relations with India over the Kashmir situation, which had been the bone of contention between two countries since their independence from British colonialism in August 1947.

The two countries have fought two wars beside regular clashes at borders over the Kashmir issue during the last seven decades. Their strained relations deteriorated further when India revoked the Special Status of Indian-Administered part of Kashmir earlier this week.

As a protest, Pakistan suspended diplomatic relations with India expelling Indian High Commissioner and directing its own Acting High Commissioner not to join his assignment.

Further, on Thursday, Pakistan suspended Express Train Service between Pakistan and India as part of its reaction to Delhi’s decision to strip Kashmir of its autonomous status.

The decision was announced by Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at a press conference.

Before the announcement of the decision, the passengers of Express Train with their luggage were sent to border and India was asked to send its engine to take the passengers away.

The passengers who had booked tickets for the next train scheduled to depart from Lahore would get refund.

“The train which operates twice a week every Thursday and Monday would not run anymore,” the minister said.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also launched a national slogan ‘Say No to India’ and decided to ban all cultural exchanges with India including all kinds of joint ventures in the entertainment industry of the two countries.

“All kinds of Indian content have been stopped and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has been directed to step up its vigilance in this regard along with actions against the sale of Indian DTH instruments,” said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan.

Pakistan has also suspended trade ties with India. The conflict between India and Pakistan has also severely affected the stock markets of two countries.

Unfortunately, the media – print, electronic as well as social media – have not been playing a responsible role.