Pakistan expels Indian envoy, closes a corridor of airspace

New Delhi : Pakistan has suspended bilateral trade with India and expelled Indian envoy from Islamabad on Wednesday. Following the decision of Pakistan National Security Commission chaired by Prime Minister Imran khan Pakistan asked India to withdraw its high commissioner from Islamabad. Pakistan also said it will not be sending its high commissioner-designate to India. Pakistan also closed a corridor of its airspace due to which flights operating from India to United States, Europe and the Middle East have to fly additionally 12 minutes. According to Air India officials said it operated around 50 flights every day through the Pakistani airspace and now with the restrictions flights will be diverted.

Pakistan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, "NSC has decided to downgrade Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with India and also suspend trade between the two countries. We have also decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India, suspending bilateral trade with India., review of bilateral arrangements,"
He added Pakistan will take up the matter with United Nations including the Security Council. Pakistan says it will observe August 14, its's independence day, as solidarity with Kashmiris.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi Wednesday said the National Security Committee (NSC) had decided to downgrade Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with India and also suspend trade between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/oyMJeFBOP2

— Information Ministry (@MoIB_Official) August 7, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan asked his machinery to activate diplomatic channels to highlight alleged human rights violations in Kashmir. Khan asked armed forces to remain vigilant.
Pakistan's Spokesperson Pakistan Armed Forces. Major General Asif Ghafoor said, "Army fully supported the Government’s rejection of Indian actions regarding Kashmir. Pakistan never recognized the Indian efforts to legalize its occupation of Jammu & Kashmir through article 370 or 35-A decades ago; which have now been revoked by India itself. “Pakistan Army firmly stands by the Kashmiris in their just struggle to the very end. We are prepared and shall go to any extent to fulfil our oblig

CCC on Kashmir situation at GHQ. Forum fully supported Government’s rejection of Indian actions regarding Kashmir. Pakistan never recognised the sham Indian efforts to legalise its occupation of Jammu & Kashmir through article 370 or 35-A decades ago; ...(1of2). pic.twitter.com/MlwNJTSDGa

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 6, 2019

actions in this regard."