Pakistan extends airspace ban

Pakistan’s airports authority extended a ban on Indian aircraft using Pakistani airspace until June 24, according to a Notice to Airmen issued on May 19. The restriction covers Indian civilian and military aircraft and prolongs a closure that has been in place since late April 2025, Pakistani media outlets reported. (news18.com) The previous extension had been due to expire on May 24. The latest notice took effect at 10:40 a.m. on May 19 and remains valid until 4:59 a.m. on June 24, according to Dawn and News18. ### What exactly did Pakistan extend? The Pakistan Airports Authority said Indian-owned, Indian-operated and Indian-registered aircraft remain barred from Pakistani airspace under the fresh notice, according to Dawn, Geo News and News18. (firstpost.com) The restriction also applies to military flights, those reports said. May 24 had been the previous end date for the curbs. The new extension pushes the restriction out by another month, with Pakistani outlets reporting that the ban now runs through the early hours of June 24. ### Why has the airspace stayed closed for so long? (news18.com) April 2025 is when Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian aircraft after tensions rose following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to News18 and Express Tribune. Those reports said New Delhi accused Islamabad of involvement, an allegation Pakistan denied. May 2025 then brought the worst fighting between the two countries in decades. (news18.com) The Independent reported that India and Pakistan remain in deep mistrust a year after that brief war, with the risk of renewed escalation still present. ### What does Pakistan say publicly about diplomacy? Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said on May 20 that “dialogue and diplomacy” remained the “only viable path” to de-escalation and lasting peace in West Asia and the Middle East, according to Express Tribune. The paper said he also described Islamabad as making “sincere efforts” to facilitate diplomatic engagement between the parties involved. (news18.com) Those comments were about the Middle East, not India directly. But they added to Pakistan’s broader public message that it wants to present itself as a diplomatic intermediary at a time of regional strain. That is an inference based on Pakistan’s public statements and recent reporting on its international contacts. (independent.co.uk) ### How does this connect to wider regional politics? June 15-17 is when France is due to host the next G7 summit, according to Indian media reports that said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend after an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron. Those same reports said U.S. President Donald Trump is also expected to be there, raising the possibility of a Modi-Trump meeting. (tribune.com.pk) Firstpost separately reported that Pakistan’s warmer ties with Washington could create tension with China, citing concerns around the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Chinese influence. That assessment comes from Firstpost’s reporting and has not been independently confirmed here. (tribune.com.pk) ### What should readers watch next? June 24 is the next formal deadline in the aviation notice issued by Pakistan’s airports authority. Any further extension, modification or withdrawal would be reflected in a new Notice to Airmen. June 15-17 is the other date to watch. (firstpost.com) The G7 summit in France could provide the next visible diplomatic setting involving Narendra Modi, Donald Trump and other leaders as India-Pakistan tensions remain unresolved. (news18.com) (firstpost.com)