Lahore: Pakistan decided Monday in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit June 13-14. Modi’s Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present at the meet.
Pakistan had fully closed its airspace February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. India had requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi’s aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek.
The official confirmed Monday to this agency that the Imran Khan government has approved in principle to the Indian government’s request.
“The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently,” the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue.
The official stated that Prime Minister Khan has recently written a letter to his Indian counterpart stressing Pakistan requires a solution for all geopolitical issues including Kashmir between the two neighbouring states.
Apart from the two routes through southern Pakistan, the neighbouring country’s airspace remains closed for commercial airliners.
The IAF had announced May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed. However, it is unlikely to benefit any commercial airliners unless Pakistan reciprocates and opens its complete airspace.
Among Indian airlines, the international operations of Air India and IndiGo have been most affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace.
PTI