PM Modi's Aircraft Flies Through Pakistani Airspace For 46 Minutes On Journey Back From Poland

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft made an unexpected 46-minute journey through Pakistani airspace while returning from Poland on Sunday, according to reports in the Pakistani media.

The PM's plane entered Pakistani airspace at 10:15 am via Chitral and left at 11:01 am, Geo News reported, claiming that his flight was in Pakistani airspace for 46 minutes.

The plane travelled through air control zones of Islamabad and Lahore before entering Amritsar. According to The Dawn, PM Modi did not send a customary goodwill message while flying over Pakistan. This tradition is often observed but is not mandatory.

Goodwill Message Optional

An aviation industry source told a Pakistani daily that sending a goodwill message is optional and not compulsory. This clarification came amidst the reports of PM Modi's flight path over Pakistan.

Civil Aviation Authority sources indicated that the Indian plane entered Pakistani airspace from Chitral. It then flew over Islamabad and Lahore before entering Amritsar.

PM's Aircraft Permission

The report also highlighted that a Prime Minister's aircraft does not need special consent to fly over another country due to blanket permission. This rule applies universally for such high-profile flights.

Pakistan had closed its airspace after February 26, 2019, following India's surgical strikes in response to the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Although Pakistan partially reopened its airspace in March, Indian flights remained banned.

Previous Denial of Airspace

In September 2019, Pakistan denied PM Modi permission to use its airspace for a flight to Germany. However, two years later, Pakistan allowed his aircraft to use its airspace en route to the US.

This incident highlights the complexities of India-Pakistan relations and the protocols involved in international aviation for state leaders.