WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 —The State Department indicated today that Congressional pressure had been a, major factor in its decision to cancel licenses for the export of $3.6‐million in military equipment to Pakistan.

At its daily news briefing, the department confirmed the closing, as of today, of the controversial arms pipeline that continued to supply spare parts and other military goods for Pakistan. Officials had disclosed yesterday that the action would be taken.

To limit any embarrassment to the Pakistani Government, the department said that the action was being taken with the “mutual consent” of the Pakistanis.

Charles W. Bray 3d, the department spokesman, said in answer to a question that the United States and Pakistan were “not unaware” of the congressional criticism and demands for a halt to all military shipments to Pakistan.

Critics had charged that such shipments were helping the Pakistani Government's efforts to crush the East. Pakistani revolt and were contributing to the flow of refugees into India. New Delhi says that the refugees now total about 10 million.

One of the most outspoken critics was Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, who is chairman of a subcommittee on refugees.

Kennedy Praises Move

Senator Kennedy, informed by the department this morning of the revocation of the remaining arms licenses for salts to Pakistan, said later in a statement, “I want to take this opportunity to commend the Administration for this positive step in our national policy toward South Asia.”

Mr. Bray, in disclosing the details of the action, said that $160,000 in spare parts already passed by United States Customs and awaiting shipment in New York would be allowed to go to Pakistan. The value of these parts was given incorrectly in The New York Times today through a transmission error.

Mr. Bray said that the sale of $1.5‐million in equipment held in Defense Department depots would be canceled as well as $2.1‐million worth of valid licenses approved before the United States forbade the issuance of licenses on March 25. This $3.6 million in previously approved exports constituted the “arms in the pipeline” that continued to flow to the Pakistani Government after March 25, when the campaign began to crush the autonomy movement led by Sheik Mujibur Rahman in East Pakistan.

Sheik Mujib was arrested by the Pakistani authorities, and his fate has been a matter of concern for Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who met with President Nixon last week in Washington. Mrs. Gandhi was reported to have urged Mr. Nixon to bring whatever pressure he could on Pakistani authorities to release Sheik Mujib.

Senator Kennedy said that positive information on the welfare and fate of Sheik Mujib will contribute to a reduction of tension throughout the area.”