Pakistani airlines to avoid Iran’s airspace

ISLAMABAD – The government of Pakistan has directed the carriers entering the country to take a different route and avoid Iran’s airspace as the tension between the two countries has escalated.

As per a fresh directive, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other carriers arriving from Central Asia and Europe have been instructed to enter Pakistan through the Muscat route and avoid using the airspace of Iran.

According to the sources close to the developments, flights departing from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia bound for Pakistan have received directives to steer clear of Iran’s airspace.

Pakistan’s aviation regulator had already intensified surveillance on flights entering the country, with a particular focus on the western border.

The directive issued on Thursday comes in the aftermath of heightened tensions between the two Islamic nations, sparked a day earlier when Iran targeted Pakistan’s Balochistan province without provocation.

Responding to the unprovoked attack, Pakistan’s armed forces initiated a well-timed and precisely executed retaliation in the early hours of Thursday, targeting sites within Iran.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army’s media wing, announced in a press release that precision strikes were carried out using various means, including killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions, and stand-off weapons. Careful consideration was taken to avoid collateral damage.

The ISPR statement highlighted the success of the operation, code-named ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar,’ targeting hideouts used by terrorist organizations, including the Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front. Notorious terrorists, such as Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham, and Wazir alias Wazi, were among those struck.

The official statement from ISPR emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any misadventure.

In the aftermath of the tension, regional powers like China have also stepped in and have requested both sides to de-escalate the situation for peace and prosperity.