Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly declared the 1972 Simla Agreement a “dead document”, marking a significant pivot in Islamabad’s long-standing approach to the Kashmir issue. In a nationally televised address, Asif emphasized that Pakistan is now reverting to its original 1948 position, recognizing the Line of Control (LoC) as a ceasefire line rather than a formally recognized boundary between the two nations.
Asif stated that the framework for resolving Indo-Pak disputes bilaterally has collapsed. “The Simla Agreement is now a dead document. We are back to the 1948 position, when the United Nations declared the LoC a ceasefire line following the ceasefire and resolutions,” he said. “Going forward, these disputes will be dealt with multilaterally or internationally.”
The defence minister further questioned the validity of other agreements, particularly the Indus Waters Treaty, saying, “Whether the Indus Waters Treaty is suspended or not, Simla is already over.” His remarks suggest a broader reassessment of Pakistan’s diplomatic commitments with India.
This shift comes amid heightened tensions following India’s 2019 revocation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status. Pakistan has since consistently opposed the move, seeking international attention and support, despite India’s assertion that the issue is strictly internal and bound by bilateral accords.
The Simla Agreement, signed in the aftermath of the 1971 war, committed both countries to resolving all disputes through peaceful bilateral dialogue. India has continued to uphold this principle as the foundation of its Kashmir policy.
In a more provocative moment during his speech, Asif touched upon Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine, warning that while the country is on high alert, nuclear weapons would only be used if there is “a direct threat to our existence.” He also confirmed that Islamabad had briefed key stakeholders, including China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while regional Gulf allies had also engaged with both sides in a bid to calm tensions.
Also Read | Trump Signs New Travel Ban Targeting Nationals from 12 Countries, Restricts Entry from 7 More
“Some of our friends in the Arabian Gulf have talked to both sides,” Asif noted, although he refrained from naming specific countries. He added that China had urged restraint, while the United States “has so far chosen to stay away.”
Adding to the controversy was Asif’s candid admission in a viral interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, where he acknowledged Pakistan’s past role in supporting militant groups. When asked if Pakistan had backed, trained, and funded terrorist organizations, Asif responded: “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades… and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that.”
Also Read | Rafale Fighter Jet Fuselages to Be Manufactured in India in Landmark Partnership
He framed Pakistan’s involvement as part of Cold War-era geopolitics and the post-9/11 alignment with Western powers. “If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable,” he said.
Asif’s admission aligns with long-standing international concerns that Pakistan served as a hub for militant groups, often undermining regional peace and stability. The bluntness of his comments is likely to deepen global scrutiny and complicate Pakistan’s diplomatic standing.
