Islamabad, May 1, 2025: In a sharp escalation of regional tensions, India announced on Wednesday that it has shut its airspace to all Pakistani airlines.
This decision comes just days after Islamabad barred Indian carriers from flying over Pakistani territory, following the killing of 26 people in an attack targeting tourists in the disputed Kashmir region.
According to the Indian government’s official notice, the airspace restriction will remain in effect from April 30 until May 23.
This move is seen as part of the growing tit-for-tat measures between the two South Asian neighbours, both of whom possess nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday evening.
In an official statement, Sharif’s office confirmed that he firmly denied India’s claims that Pakistan had any involvement in the Kashmir incident.
Sharif called for an impartial, fair, and international probe into the attack and urged the United States to push India to “lower its aggressive rhetoric and behave responsibly.”
When contacted, India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately issue any comment on the matter.
While the airspace ban will affect both countries, analysts believe the impact on Pakistan’s aviation sector will be less severe compared to India’s.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the only Pakistani carrier that uses Indian air routes for its flights to destinations like Kuala Lumpur.
Last week, Pakistan had already shut its skies to Indian-owned or operated airlines, bringing all trade activities — even those routed through third countries — to a standstill. Pakistan also temporarily halted issuing South Asian regional visas for Indian citizens.
In response to the rising friction, PIA announced on Tuesday that it would reroute flights to avoid Indian airspace entirely, citing concerns over escalating bilateral hostilities.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s government revealed it had received “reliable intelligence” suggesting that India was preparing possible military strikes, intensifying fears of direct conflict between the two rival nations.
Since the Kashmir attack, both countries have adopted a series of retaliatory steps against each other, including putting the historic Indus Waters Treaty — a critical water-sharing agreement — on hold.
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As tensions continue to mount, regional stability hangs in the balance, with international actors closely monitoring the situation and urging restraint on both sides.
