Islamabad/New Delhi, August 7: Hours after downgrading diplomatic relations with India and expelling Indian envoy, Pakistan government on Wednesday partially closed its airspace for India. Information is pouring out that three out of nine air routes between India and Pakistan are closed. Along with this, trade over Kashmir has been suspended too.

According to the initial information, Pakistan has partially closed the use of its airspace for India till September 5. The restrictions will be applicable for all the airlines. It is to be known that this is the second time that such a move has been initiated by Imran Khan-led Pakistan government. The first restrictions were imposed after the Balakot Airstrike in February, post-Pulwamaincident. Pakistan Plans to Close It's Airspace Again For Indian Flights: Pak Media Reports

The recent escalating tensions between the two countries on the Kashmir issue, especially after India scrapped special provisions of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, could be viewed as a reason for such a move.

In the previous development of the day, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting National Security Committee at Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad and suspended bilateral trade with India. Not only this, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed that they have expelled their Indian envoy.

Soon after the Modi government scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories - i) Jammu and Kashmir and ii) Ladakh - Pakistan called the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria for briefing. Pakistan Downgrades Diplomatic Ties With India, Expels Indian Envoy After Article 370 Revoked in Jammu and Kashmir

Khan even made a statement that on Tuesday claiming that India's latest move - to abrogate Article 370 - might result in another Pulwama. He opined that abrogation of Article 37O depicts the 'racist ideology' of India, as all dialogues to establish peace with the neighbouring country were quashed by ruling Indian dispensation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2019 11:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).