Pak turns down India's request to open airspace for PM Modi's flight

Pakistan has yet again rejected an official request by India to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi use its airspace, the Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday. According to the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the decision had been taken to show solidarity on a black day being marked by Pakistan, and in light of the recent human rights violations by the Indian forces in "occupied" Kashmir. Islamabad would inform the Indian High Commissioner of the decision through a written statement, he added.

READ| Pakistan Confirms Arrest Of Activist Following US Criticism

'It's an unfortunate situation'

Previously on September 22, before PM Modi's visit to the United States and Germany, Pakistan had denied PM Modi the use of its airspace. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had stated then, “It's an unfortunate situation where a country denies overflight to head of state or head of government of another country. But it's true when there's a normal country. We have made our position very clear and I hope Pakistan will realise the folly of its actions.” 

On September 7, Pakistan also refused a request by India to allow President Ram Nath Kovind to use its airspace for his foreign visits to Iceland, Switzerland, and Slovenia, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had announced. Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force fighter jets struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot following the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. However, in March, it partially opened its airspace but kept its ban for the Indian flights.

READ| Pakistan & Terrorists Target Kashmir's Economy, Attack Apple Traders

Pakistan's history of Human Right's violation documented 

On October 22, the US described the shrinking space for civil society and media freedom in Pakistan as "troubling". The United States said it remains "deeply concerned" over reports of human rights abuses and discrimination faced by people in Pakistan because of their faith. It urged the Pakistani government to uphold the rule of law and the freedoms enshrined in the country's constitution.

On October 23, Pakistan was left embarrassed at the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on ‘Human Rights in South Asia’ when a Sindhi-American activist Fatima Gul stated that religious persecution was a salient feature of that country. Mentioning that Pakistan was the only nation that has passed legislation against its own citizens, Gul elaborated that minorities such as Hindus, Christians, Balochs, Shias, Ahmedies were continuously victimised. Furthermore, she stated that Pakistan ranked as the sixth most dangerous country for women. Gul also talked about rampant forced conversion and child sexual abuse.

READ | Amit Shah: Revoking Article 370 Opened Road To Kashmir's Development

READ | Father Was Picked Up By Men In Militia Dress: Pak Activist Gulalai