Airspace closure one of many options being considered, no decision taken so far: FO

Published August 29, 2019
Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal at a weekly press briefing on Thursday. — DawnNewsTV
Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal at a weekly press briefing on Thursday. — DawnNewsTV

Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal on Thursday said that Pakistan could exercise the closure of its airspace for India at a time of its choosing, but so far, no decision has been taken on the matter.

While addressing a weekly press briefing, Dr Faisal said that the issue had been discussed at the highest level.

"It is one of the many options that are being considered, we can exercise it at a time of our choosing. No decision has been taken as yet," he said.

The FO spokesperson's comments come a day after Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi shared the same regarding closure of Pakistan’s airspace.

Read: No decision yet on airspace closure to India: FM

Talking to reporters, Qureshi had dismissed reports suggesting that the airspace was being shut for India as "speculative".

"A decision to this effect will be taken after due consideration and looking into each and every aspect of the move through consultation," he had said, adding Prime Minister Imran Khan would have the final word.

The subject of airspace closure was first broached by Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, who announced on Tuesday that the federal cabinet was considering restoration of a complete ban on the use of Pakistani airspace for Indian flights.

Following an escalation in tensions between the neighbouring countries earlier this year, Pakistan had fully closed its airspace after the violation of its international boundary and airspace by Indian fighter jets on February 26.

In March, it partially opened its airspace but kept it banned for the Indian flights.

After months of restrictions in the wake of the standoff with India, Pakistan's airspace was reopened in July.

India's actions in occupied Kashmir continue

At the outset of his briefing today, Dr Faisal said that Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir remained under siege and was cut off from the rest of the world for the 25th consecutive day.

"These inhuman and unilateral actions by India are continuing without any respite despite international condemnation and censure," he said.

On August 5, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi stripped Kashmiris of the constitutional rights they had for seven decades through a rushed presidential order. An indefinite curfew was imposed in occupied Kashmir and elected leaders were put under house arrest.

In response to a question regarding Pakistan's decision to take the Kashmir dispute with India to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the FO spokesperson said that consultations were underway with all stakeholders, adding that it was a "very delicate issue".

He said that no final decision had been taken as yet.

Pakistan remains committed to Kartarpur

Dr Faisal said that a technical meeting on the Kartarpur corridor is set to take place at Zero Point tomorrow.

"India concurred to Pakistan's proposal and the technical meeting on Kartarpur Sahib corridor is being held on August 30 at Zero Point."

"Pakistan remains committed to completing and inaugurating the Kartarpur Sahib corridor as announced by our prime minister," he added.

Opinion

Editorial

Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...
Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...