Pakistan Announces Extension of Ban on Indian Aircraft Over Its Airspace

In a move reflecting the escalation of regional tensions, Pakistani authorities announced today, Saturday September 20, 2025, the extension of the ban on the entry of Indian aircraft into its airspace until October 24, amid ongoing political and military disputes between the two nuclear neighbors.

The spokesperson for the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Saifullah Khan stated in an official statement to the media that "the Pakistani airspace will remain closed to aircraft registered in India, whether owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines, including military aircraft."

Pakistan had imposed this ban on April 24 last year, as part of a series of strict measures adopted by its senior leaders in response to what it described as "aggressive actions" taken by New Delhi against the country, according to the Pakistani newspaper The Nation.

The crisis erupted after India accused its neighbor Pakistan—without providing evidence—of being behind a bloody attack in April last year in the Pahalgam area located in the disputed Kashmir region.

Islamabad responded with a firm denial of the accusations, calling for an international and impartial investigation into the incident.

However, matters did not stop there, as the situation quickly deteriorated towards an open military confrontation between the two nuclear powers, prompting urgent U.S. intervention to mediate a ceasefire agreement and avoid slipping into a full-scale war.

In a related context, reports revealed that Pakistan recently established a new "missile unit," a move seen by observers as a military warning and a deterrent message to India, as tensions continue along the border.