Recent statements from Pakistan regarding the Simla Agreement have created considerable confusion. On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared the 1972 Simla Agreement a "dead document," asserting that India's unilateral actions, especially the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, had rendered the bilateral framework obsolete. He further claimed that the Line of Control (LoC) should now be considered a ceasefire line, reverting to the 1948 position. Asif also questioned the status of the Indus Waters Treaty, suggesting a collapse of the bilateral structure.

However, the very next day, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry issued a clarification, stating that no formal decision had been made to scrap any bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement. A senior Foreign Office official told the Express Tribune that while recent developments had triggered internal discussions in Islamabad, all treaties, including the Simla Agreement, remained operational. The Foreign Office emphasized Pakistan remains fully committed to the Simla Agreement. This effectively distanced the Pakistani government from the Defence Minister's earlier remarks.

The Simla Agreement, signed by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1972 in the aftermath of the 1971 war, was designed to ensure peaceful relations between India and Pakistan. It stipulates that the two countries resolve their disputes through bilateral negotiations and peaceful means, without interference from third parties. It also converted the ceasefire line of 1948 into the Line of Control (LoC) and bound both countries to respect it.

This is not the first time that the relevance of the Simla Agreement has been questioned. In the past, Pakistani leaders have expressed discomfort with the bilateral framework, especially after India's revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue in international forums, while India has maintained that it is strictly an internal matter.

The recent back and forth from Pakistan comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The tensions have further increased following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent retaliatory strikes by India on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May 2025. Furthermore, there were reports that India might suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, adding another layer of strain to the relationship.

The contradictory statements from Pakistan highlight the internal debate within the country regarding its approach to India. While the Defence Minister's remarks suggest a desire to abandon the bilateral framework and internationalize disputes, the Foreign Ministry's clarification indicates a more cautious approach, emphasizing commitment to existing agreements. It remains to be seen which direction Pakistan will ultimately take, and what impact it will have on the already strained relations between the two countries.