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Islamabad

Simla Disagreement

Pakistan’s willingness to review the Simla Agreement, call for international investigations, and stand firm against Indian aggression is not a threat, but a responsible response.

By Prof. Engr. Zamir Awan | June 2025


In the shadow of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the relevance and future of the Simla Agreement have come under increasing scrutiny. Signed on July 2, 1972, in the aftermath of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Simla Agreement was hailed as a diplomatic milestone. It aimed to chart a path towards peaceful coexistence and mutual resolution of disputes, particularly the long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir, through bilateral negotiations and respect for the Line of Control (LoC).

Yet, over five decades later, Pakistan has every reason to question the credibility of this pact. India’s repeated violations of both the spirit and letter of the Simla Agreement—through unilateral actions, military escalations, and suppression in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir—have rendered the agreement increasingly hollow. The recent Pahalgam incident, blamed squarely and baselessly on Pakistan, is only the latest in a long series of provocations.

Background of the Simla Agreement
The Simla Agreement was born out of the ashes of war. Following the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh, the agreement was signed between Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India. It laid down key principles:

· Peaceful resolution of disputes through bilateral negotiations.
· No unilateral change in the status of the LoC.
· Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.

But India has continually used the agreement as a shield to resist international mediation on Kashmir, while itself violating its essence by unilaterally changing the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, when Article 370 was revoked.

Pakistan’s Rightful Warning: Reassessing a Broken Pact
Pakistan’s repeated warnings about potentially suspending or revisiting the Simla Agreement are not driven by aggression but by disillusionment. If India treats bilateral pacts as tools of convenience rather than instruments of commitment, how can Pakistan be expected to honor them blindly?

Suspending the Simla Agreement would signal that Pakistan no longer accepts India’s arbitrary use of the bilateral framework to prevent third-party mediation while simultaneously destabilizing the region. It would open avenues for international arbitration, bringing global focus back to the Kashmir dispute—a legitimate and longstanding issue central to regional peace.

Consequences and Strategic Realities

India’s strategic community fears the internationalization of Kashmir, and rightly so. A unilateral Pakistani move to suspend the Simla Agreement could:

· Reignite international pressure on India, particularly from neutral countries that believe in justice and the rule of law.
· Revive UN mechanisms previously shelved due to the so-called “bilateral understanding.”
· Expose India’s duplicity in rejecting outside mediation while fueling instability through harsh domestic policies and false narratives.


The Pahalgam Incident: A False-Flag Operation Exposed
The Pahalgam incident, wherein Indian security forces suffered casualties in what was claimed to be a “cross-border terror attack,” appears to be a manufactured false flag operation staged by India itself. Without offering evidence or investigation, India hurriedly blamed Pakistan, escalating military rhetoric and threatening punitive action. But the truth is more complex—and sinister.

Pakistan categorically rejected any involvement in the incident. In fact, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif offered to facilitate a neutral international investigation, inviting organizations like the United Nations or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to supervise the probe. India’s refusal to accept a neutral inquiry strongly suggests that it has something to hide. This reflects a disturbing pattern of provoking conflict, demonizing Pakistan, and manipulating public opinion for domestic political gains.

India’s Aggression: A Threat to Regional Peace
India’s hostile posture towards Pakistan is visible not only in the military domain but also in economic warfare. Attempts to deprive Pakistan of its legitimate share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a World Bank-brokered agreement, constitute a clear violation of international law. India’s actions could destabilize agriculture and water security in Pakistan, affecting over 220 million people.

Moreover, India’s use of disinformation, economic coercion, and diplomatic bullying to isolate Pakistan belies its claim of being a responsible regional actor. Whether it’s brutal suppression of Kashmiris, refusal to engage in dialogue, or misinformation campaigns targeting Pakistan, India’s record is clear and troubling.

Pakistan: A Pillar of Peace in a Volatile Region
Amid these provocations, Pakistan has demonstrated remarkable restraint and maturity. Its strategic calculus is not war, but peace. It seeks sustainable development, regional integration, and mutually beneficial ties, not conflict.

Pakistan has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy. Whether through backchannel talks, confidence-building measures, or participation in international forums, Pakistan has made its intentions clear: We want peace, not war. However, peace cannot be one-sided.

When India uses diplomacy as a smokescreen to fuel tensions, Pakistan is justified in adopting countermeasures, whether diplomatic, legal, or military, to safeguard its sovereignty and national interest.

A Call to the International Community
India’s repeated provocations and warmongering threaten not only Pakistan but also the larger dream of regional peace and stability in South Asia. The world must not turn a blind eye to the rising threat of conflict. The United Nations, human rights watchdogs, and global powers must step up and recognize that South Asia stands on a dangerous precipice.

Pakistan’s call for a neutral probe into the Pahalgam incident, its adherence to international agreements, and its unwavering commitment to peace all stand in stark contrast to India’s aggression, manipulation, and intransigence.

Let the World Judge Fairly
It is time the world sees the truth behind India’s carefully crafted image. Behind its claims of democracy and diplomacy lies a belligerent power intent on hegemony. Pakistan, by contrast, seeks a future where justice, peace, and mutual respect define inter-state relations.

Pakistan’s willingness to review the Simla Agreement, call for international investigations, and stand firm against Indian aggression is not a threat—it is a responsible response rooted in the values of peace, fairness, and regional stability.

Let the global community stand with the truth. Let justice prevail, and let South Asia move towards a future of hope rather than hostility

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