ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said on Thursday that Pakistan could close its airspace for India at a time of its choosing, but confirmed that no decision has been taken regarding this.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, Dr Faisal said that the issue had been discussed at the highest level and is one of the many options that are being considered.
Regarding the situation in occupied Kashmir, Dr Faisal said that the valley remained under siege and was cut off from the rest of the world for 25th consecutive day.
The official elaborated that these inhuman and unilateral actions by India are continuing without any respite despite international condemnation and censure.
To a query regarding Pakistan’s decision to take the Kashmir dispute with India to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the spokesperson said that consultations were underway with all stakeholders, adding that it was a very delicate issue.
Dr Faisal said that a technical meeting on the Kartarpur corridor is set to take place at Zero Point tomorrow.
“Pakistan remains committed to completing and inaugurating the Kartarpur Sahib corridor as announced by our prime minister,” he added.
The FO spokesperson’s comments come days after Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry announced that the federal cabinet was considering restoration of a complete ban on the use of Pakistani airspace for Indian flights.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had shared that the decision regarding airspace closure would be taken after consultations.
“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.
India had scrapped article 370 of the constitution thus revoking the special status granted to Kashmir on August 5.
Pakistan had earlier closed its airspace for India after Indian Air Force claimed to have carried out a strike at Balakot area in the wake of Pulwama attacks.
In March, it partially opened its airspace but kept it banned for the Indian flights, however, Pakistan’s airspace was reopened in July.
