NEW DELHI: Air links between India
and Pakistan — which include direct
flights between the two countries
and allowing airlines of one country
to fly over the other — have now
come under the scanner of the
Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The Modi government is examining
whether these should be allowed to
continue post the Uri attack, as part
of its multi-pronged strategy that
involves reviewing the Indus
Waters Treaty with Pakistan and
also reconsidering the most
favoured nation status (MFN) given
to the country by India in 1996.
While no Indian carrier flies to
Pakistan, Pakistan International
Airlines (PIA) has five flights a week
to India — one on Delhi-Karachi
route and two each on Delhi-Lahore
and Mumbai-Karachi sectors.
Overflying is clearly the more
critical part for airlines of both
countries. At the moment, almost all
flight operated by Indian carriers
between Gulf, Europe and North
America on the one hand and
central, north and east India on the
other fly over Pakistan. Similarly, PIA
flies over India to Southeast Asia
and Bangladesh.
"The PMO has sought all details of
aviation sector between India and
Pakistan. They even asked if the ban
on low overflying over Karachi had
affected Indian flights. We have
given all details as sought by them
and a final decision will be taken by
the PMO," said a source.
Read More: URI ATTACK: PM Modi to decide on air links between India and Pakistan - Times of India
and Pakistan — which include direct
flights between the two countries
and allowing airlines of one country
to fly over the other — have now
come under the scanner of the
Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The Modi government is examining
whether these should be allowed to
continue post the Uri attack, as part
of its multi-pronged strategy that
involves reviewing the Indus
Waters Treaty with Pakistan and
also reconsidering the most
favoured nation status (MFN) given
to the country by India in 1996.
While no Indian carrier flies to
Pakistan, Pakistan International
Airlines (PIA) has five flights a week
to India — one on Delhi-Karachi
route and two each on Delhi-Lahore
and Mumbai-Karachi sectors.
Overflying is clearly the more
critical part for airlines of both
countries. At the moment, almost all
flight operated by Indian carriers
between Gulf, Europe and North
America on the one hand and
central, north and east India on the
other fly over Pakistan. Similarly, PIA
flies over India to Southeast Asia
and Bangladesh.
"The PMO has sought all details of
aviation sector between India and
Pakistan. They even asked if the ban
on low overflying over Karachi had
affected Indian flights. We have
given all details as sought by them
and a final decision will be taken by
the PMO," said a source.
Read More: URI ATTACK: PM Modi to decide on air links between India and Pakistan - Times of India
