ISLAMABAD: As the tensions emanating from the Pahalgam attack continue to draw a wedge between the two neighbours, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan`s response to India`s hostile decisions in the aftermath of the attack was `responsible and measured`.On the other hand, India stepped up its measures against Pakistan, saying that it had banned the import of goods coming from or transiting via Pakistan and barred Pakistani ships from entering its ports amid tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

In a meeting with the Turkish envoy who called on him at the Prime Minister`s House, the pre-mier said Indian provocative actions would also distract Pakistan from its fight against terrorism. He reiterated that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

According to the prime minister, India has yet to respond to Pakistan`s offer for a neutral probe into the attack that killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, a scenic town in the occupied Kashmir.

India failed to share any evidence and was falsely trying to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, said a statement issued by the PM`s Office after the meeting.

He said Pakistan would fully cooperate with a `credible, transparent and neutral international investigation to ascertain the facts` and would welcome if Turkiye joined it.

The prime minister underscored that Pakistan had rendered great sacrifices in its counterterrorism efforts, including 90,000 casualties and over $152 billion in economic losses over the years.

He also thanked President Erdogan for his strong statement of support for Pakistan during the prevailing situation in South Asia, as well as his call for peace in the region.

Turkiye Ambassador Dr Irfan Neziroglu informed the prime minister that Ankara appreciated Pakistan`s position and expressed its solidarity with Pakistanis, while also calling for de-escalation and urging restraint to maintain peace and security in South Asia.

On his part, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the telephone and informed them about regional developments in the wake of the Kashmir attack.

He rejected Indian allegations, a disinformation campaign, and unilateral measures that threatened regional peace and security.

Mr Dar briefed his Swiss counterpart about India`s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance an outright violation of international legal obligations, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. He reiterated Pakistan`s call for an independent and transparent international inves-tigation to establish the facts.

The Swiss foreign minister, meanwhile, endorsed Pakistan`s proposal for an investigation. He expressed Switzerland`s readiness to offer its good offices and explore appropriate mechanisms to facilitate an impartial investigation. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact on the evolving situation.

In his conversation with the Greek counterpart, he also reiterated the call for an independent and transparent investigation to establish the facts. Mr Gerapetritis emphasised the importance of restraint to prevent escalation and preserve peace and stability and welcomed Pakistan`s proposal fora neutral and transparent inquiry.

Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination onregionaland global developments, particularly in multilateral forums, including their engagement as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, said the statement.

Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Indian aggression concerning water resources would be met with a resolute response, as Islamabad would not hesitate to take necessary measures to protect its rights and interests.

In an appearance on a private television show, Mr Asif stated that if India continued to violate the Indus Waters Treaty,Pakistan would take the matter to legal forums to protect its rights. He said India had been exposed globally and failed to garner the expected narrative support in light of the attack.

Indian import ban India, with immediate effect, banned the import of goods coming from or transiting via Pakistan and barred Pakistani ships, according to Reuters.

On Saturday, India said Pakistani-flagged ships would not be allowed to visit any Indian port, and Indian flagged-ships would not visit any ports in Pakistan. `This order is issued to ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo and connected infrastructure, in the public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping, the Directorate General of Shipping said in a statement.

India`s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification that the `restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy`. According to Hindustan Times, the ports ministry `banned Pakistani-flagged ships from entering Indian ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting ports in Pakistan`.

With input from agencies