Pakistan Refuses PM Modi to Use its Air Space
The Pakistan government has refused to allow PM Modi access its airspace to travel to the USA. This is yet another decision to show their displeasure over the abrogation of Article 370.
PM Modi is going to the USA from September 21 to 27. In the USA he is also going to Houston, Texas. Over there a rally called the “Howdy Modi” has been organised for PM Modi and more than 50,000 Indians-American have registered to take part in it. “Howdy” is a popular greeting famous in southern USA.
Even US President Donald Trump will attend this rally to meet PM Modi. PM Modi will soon leave for the US.
On 18th September, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that when PM Modi travels to the USA, Pakistan will not allow PM Modi to fly over Pakistan’s airspace. This is not the first time that Pakistan has blocked its airspace for Indian political leaders.Earlier, Pakistan didn't allow President Ram Nath Kovind to use its airspace during his visit to Iceland. Pakistan said that they did this, because they do not agree with India’s decision to remove Article 370.
However, the Indian government said that it is regrettable that Pakistan is doing this. The government said that pakistan has a habit of deviating International practices.
Earlier pakistan has closed their airspace to Indian flights after India conducted an air strike on Jaish-e-Muhammad terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan on 26th February 2019.
Pakistan airspace was shut till 16th July 2019 after which it began again. Ironically, Pakistan’s Aviation Minister Later said that Pakistan’s aviation industry lost Rs 800 crore because of closing its airspace to India. Airlines have to pay countries a form of rent to be allowed to use their airspace. Since there was no air traffic for a long time, Pakistan suffered major losses.
