ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has stronglydenied circulating reports that Kabul has closed its airspace to flightsoriginating from or entering through Pakistan. Officials described theclaims as baseless and fabricated.
The rumours emerged on social media platforms late Wednesday, alleging thatAfghan authorities had suspended overflight rights for aircraft arrivingfrom Pakistani airspace. Several accounts known for pro-Taliban leaningsactively amplified the information, causing confusion among travellers andaviation circles.
Mawlawi Fathullah Mansoor, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport andCivil Aviation, categorically rejected the reports in a statement issued onThursday. He termed the news “completely false” and urged the public torely only on official sources.
Mansoor emphasised that Afghanistan’s airspace remains open for allinternational and regional flights, including those transiting through ororiginating from Pakistan. No restrictions have been imposed on Pakistanicarriers or overflights, he added.
The denial comes amid continuing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul overcross-border movement and security issues. However, aviation experts notedthat any abrupt airspace closure would severely disrupt regional air routes.
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Pakistani aviation officials have also confirmed receiving no formalnotification from Afghan authorities regarding changes in overflightpermissions. Flights between the two countries and transit trafficcontinued normally on Thursday.
The episode highlights the rapid spread of unverified information in theregion, particularly on matters concerning Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.Authorities on both sides have repeatedly called for responsible reporting.
Source:www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-airspace-remains-open-no-closure-pakistan-flights”>https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-airspace-remains-open-no-closure-pakistan-flights
