Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) questioned Modi’s regime that whether it has taken permission from Pakistan to use its airspace or not for inaugurating the Srinagar-Sharjah flight.
On 23 October 2021, Indian Union Home minister Amit shah inaugurated the Srinagar-Sharjah flight. In a tweet, Omar wrote, “Regarding the Srinagar-Sharjah flight that has been announced today – has Pakistan had a change of heart & allowed flights originating from Srinagar to use its airspace? If not then this flight will die the way the Srinagar-Dubai flight died during UPA2”.
As per the Indian authorities, the step has been taken in the spirit of accelerating trade and tourism between the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir and UAE which India has illegally occupied. Indian airline “Go first” previously known as “Go Air” revealed that it will carry out the international cargo operations between the both. Moreover, the flight operation will be carried out 4 times a week.
It is noteworthy that Arshad Shareef claimed in a show aired on a private news channel that the Srinagar-Sharjah flight operation passed through Pakistan’s airspace three times without seeking permission from Pakistani authorities.
In this regard, different voices have been raised within Jammu&Kashmir. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said such measures cannot solve the “actual problem” of the territory.
Author: Iqra Arif