Imran Khan Considering Complete Closure of Air Space to India: Pakistan Minister Fawad Chaudhry
Apart from the air space, Islamabad is also considering to deny India the Pakistani land routes for trade with Afghanistan. The moves were mulled over during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Imran Khan earlier today. An official announcement is expected in the next couple of days, local media reported.
Islamabad, August 27: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is considering to completely shutdown the country's airspace for India, said Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, on Tuesday. The potential move, which comes amid the escalating tensions over Kashmir dispute, could further deteriorate ties between the two South Asian neighbours.
Apart from the air space, Islamabad is also considering to deny India the Pakistani land routes for trade with Afghanistan. The moves were mulled over during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Imran Khan earlier today. An official announcement is expected in the next couple of days, local media reported. Imran Khan Switched Pakistan's Kashmir Policy From 'How to Capture Srinagar' to 'How to Save Muzaffarabad': Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
"PM is considering a complete closure of Air Space to India, a complete ban on use of Pakistan Land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan was also suggested in cabinet meeting, legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration... #Modi has started we'll finish! (sic)," Chaudhry said on social media.
Read Fawad Chaudhry's Tweet Below:
Notably, Pakistan had shut down its airspace for India following the February 27 aerial dogfight with India. The airspace remained closed for the Indian side till June this year.
Following the Narendra Modi government's decision to revoke Jammu & Kashmir's special status on August 5, Islamabad rerouted a portion of its airspace, but fell short of terminating it for India.
Meanwhile, India-Pakistan tensions continue to escalate, with Imran Khan, in his address to the nation on Monday, promising to "go to any extent" to liberate the people of Kashmir. He further added that Pakistan would not boycott the issue even with several among the Muslim-majority nations siding with India. "They are doing so to safeguard their economic interests," he said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2019 08:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).