Pahalgam terror attack: India bans all imports from Pakistan amid rising tensions

In a major move following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has announced a complete ban on all imports from Pakistan. The government said the decision was taken in the interest of national security and public policy, and it applies to all goods, whether imported directly or through third-party countries.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed the ban through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The directive is effective on an immediate basis.

"The DGFT has issued a notification prohibiting the import of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan to India. This includes goods in transit and indirect imports through other trade routes," the ministry said in a statement.

The order also updates India’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. A new clause—Para 2.20A—has been inserted, stating: “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,” stated the ministry.

This is among the strongest trade actions taken by India in recent years against Pakistan. The move comes amid heightened public anger and diplomatic tensions following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region last week, which shook the nation and drew global condemnation.

At least 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist and a local pony guide operator, were massacred by terrorists in the scenic Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Relations between the two nations further deteriorated after investigations revealed links between the attackers and terror groups operating from Pakistan. Security has since been tightened across border regions.

The government has made it clear that the ban will stay in place until further notice, underscoring a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and cross-border hostilities.