Modi denied use of Pakistan airspace.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan yesterday rejected India's request to allow its airspace to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his flight to Saudi Arabia today amid tension between the nuclear armed neighbours.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Modi had not been allowed to use Pakistan's airspace due to the massive human rights violations in Kashmir. 'Pakistan has decided not to allow Prime Minister Modi to use the country's airspace,' the FM said in a statement. Qureshi said the decision has been taken in context of the 'Black Day' and in view of the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the Indian High Commissioner was informed of this decision in written form.

Modi will travel to Saudi Arabia today (October 28) where he will attend an international business forum and hold talks with top Saudi leadership.

Last month, Pakistan had rejected India's request to allow Prime Minister Modi's flight to use its airspace for his visit to the US to attend the UN General Assembly.

Pakistan also refused India's request to allow President Ram Nath Kovind to use its airspace for his flight to Iceland in the same month.

Pakistan had fully closed its airspace in February after an Indian Air Force strike on an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. The country opened its airspace for all flights except for New Delhi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur on March 27. On May 15, Pakistan extended its airspace ban for flights to India till May 30. It fully opened its airspace for all civilian traffic on July 16.

In June, Pakistan specially opened its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. However, India decided not to use the Pakistani airspace for the VVIP aircraft.

Tensions between Pakistan and India spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two union territories, evoking strong reaction from Pakistan. India has defiantly told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an 'internal matter.'

In a separate message on 'Black Day,' FM Qureshi said: 'On this day 72 long years...