Today Pakistan announced opening of
air routes which government of Pakistan closed after Indian aggression on
Balakot which resulted in destruction of few trees and death of at least 1 crow
on 26 February 2019.
Pakistan retaliated on 27th
by bombing Indian positions across LoC and shooting down two Indian fighter Jets
one MIG 21 and one SU 30. Pilot of MIG 21 which crashed on Pakistani side, Wing
Commander Abinandan was captured alive by Pakistan army whereas SU managed to
cross LoC before crashing.
1 Indian military helicopter MI -17 was
shot down by friendly fire and all 6 airmen on board were killed.
India threatened to strike targets in
Pakistan with missals but Pakistan told Indians that every missal would be replied
by 3 more from Pakistani side. Due to efforts from Chinese, Americans and
Russians and other friendly states crisis situation ended. Pakistan opened few
Air routes in March but Eastern routes remained close for Indians.
Intelligence reports in February indicated
that India was planning to attack Pakistan in guise of commercial air craft using civilian
codes. To stop IAF from any adventure and to have clear electronic view Pakistan
decided to close the routes coming from India.
Pakistan lies in the mid of a vital flight
passageway and the airspace restrictions affected hundreds of commercial and
cargo flights each day, adding to flight time for passengers and fuel costs for
airlines.
Indian national Airline experienced loss
of Indian Rupee 491 crore till July 2 due to the closure of air route by the
Pakistan. Few Indian airlines even went bankrupt.
According to Indian Civil
Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri Private airlines SpiceJet, IndiGo and
GoAir lost Rs30.73 crore, Rs 25.1 crore and Rs 2.1 crore, respectively.
In addition to Indians, other airlines
were also suffering for example Afghan air lines which reached India in 1.5
hours had to take longer routes and it took 5 to 6 hours to get to India.Indians
requested multiple times to open Pakistani aerospace but Pakistan declined.
On 12 July, Pakistan’s aviation Secretary told
parliamentary committee that Pakistan
will open its air space when India withdraw its fighter jets from forward bases,
away from Indo- Pakistan border.
On 13th Pakistan extended
its air space closure for 5th time till July 26th.
Today Pakistan announced opening of
Pakistani Air space. Question rises why in less than 96 hours of secretary aviation’s
statement and in less than 72 hours of closure extension Pakistan has opened
air space?
My take is that Pakistan opened airspace
due to guarantees / Request by an important international player who would be
hosting Prime minister Imran Khan in few days. Interestingly most of the newspapers
/ websites reported today that
The announcement came hours after United Airlines said it was extending the suspension of its flights from the United States to Delhi and Mumbai in India until October 26, citing continued restrictions of Pakistani airspace.(Khaleej Times)
United air lines is
one of the biggest airlines of United States. According to opensecrets.org the
company has spent this year 980 000 US dollars on lobbying. Contributions of
companies play an important role in American elections.
Pakistan’s decision
of opening its all air routes will enable Air industry to earn more with less
expenditure. Pakistan’s decision to open all the routes indicate that PM Imran Khan’s
visit to white house will be having positive outcomes. The thaw in Pak US
relations is breaking at fast pace.
India has failed in
all expectations. Its only importance lies in its being a big market for US
goods but trade talks between US and India bore no fruit. Both US and India have
imposed heavy duties on each other’s exports.
Pakistan- India
military crisis resulted in stalemate and now serious Indian analysts like Sheakar
Gupta are admitting that India cannot win war with Pakistan. Myth of Indian
power was broken in this February .
Few days back newly
nominated US Joint chief of staff General Mark Milley said that the United
States needs to maintain strong military-to-military ties with Pakistan, based
on the shared interests of the two countries. Gen Milley pointed out that President Trump’s South
Asia strategy recognized Pakistan as “a key partner in achieving US interests
in South Asia, including developing a political settlement in Afghanistan;
defeating Al Qaeda and ISIS-Khorasan; providing logistical access for US forces;
and enhancing regional stability”.
Pakistan has
learned a lot in past few years. Pakistan will have balanced relations with US.
It will be wise to build good relations
with Russia and take decisions based on national interest with independent
nationalist mind. Pakistan have lot to learn from its time tested and most
reliable great friend China. Pakistan need to build its economy and society so
that internal strength give rise to place which Pakistan deserves as an
important country in the region and sole Muslim power with excellent military
and human capital with potential to make it super power of the future.