Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian flights using its airspace until June 24, citing ongoing tensions between the two countries over the situation in Kashmir. The ban, which was first announced on April 24, followed a wave of violence that left more than 70 people dead in just four days of intense fighting.
“No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace,” the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan said on Friday. It clarified that the restriction also applies to Indian military aircraft. This extension reflects the strained diplomatic and military relationship between the two countries, especially after the recent clashes.
India Responds with Its Own Airspace Ban
India also imposed a ban on Pakistani flights in response to the earlier restriction. The Indian ban, which came into effect in late April, is scheduled to last until June 23. The tit-for-tat measures have disrupted air travel across the region, affecting both civilian and military operations.
The escalation began after an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting the attackers, while Pakistan denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.
Kashmir at the Centre of the Conflict
At the heart of the airspace ban lies the long-standing conflict over Kashmir, a region divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, with both countries claiming it entirely. The latest flare-up is just one in a series of violent events rooted in this territorial dispute.
The military confrontation, which lasted four days before a ceasefire was announced on May 10, involved the use of missiles, drones, and artillery. While both sides have since scaled back their attacks, diplomatic and military hostilities remain high.
The repeated exchange of bans and accusations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours has renewed fears of broader instability in South Asia. The continued ban on Indian flights through Pakistani airspace highlights the lack of resolution and the dangers of an unresolved Kashmir dispute.
