In a further significant move against Pakistan, India has banned the direct or indirect import of all Pakistani goods with immediate effect, according to a notification from the Ministry of Commerce. This step followed the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
“Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders,” read the notification from the Ministry of Commerce dated May 2. A provision in this regard has been added to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated in the notification that this restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition will require the approval of the Government of India.
Notably, India had already closed the Wagah-Attari border, the sole trade route between India and Pakistan, in the aftermath of the barbaric attack in J&K’s Pahalgam on April 22 that led to a further deterioration in ties between the two neighbouring countries.