Pakistan reopened its airspace to all commercial and military traffic on Saturday after a ceasefire agreement was reached with India, marking a pause in several days of escalating cross-border conflict.
The decision follows a wave of hostilities triggered by Pakistan’s missile and drone strikes on Indian infrastructure, which were launched in response to India’s Operation Sindoor — a series of precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan.
These strikes came after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, most of them Hindus.
The Pakistan Airports Authority announced that full flight operations resumed nationwide at 5:00 PM IST. “Pakistan’s airspace has been completely reopened for all types of flights,” the official statement confirmed.
In the days leading up to the reopening, Pakistan had closed several air routes, including those over Lahore and Karachi, due to heightened military tensions. The closure caused widespread disruption to international air travel, with many flights diverted or cancelled.
The ceasefire was formally announced by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press briefing in New Delhi.
According to Misri, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan initiated contact with his Indian counterpart at 3:35 PM IST. Both sides agreed to cease all military operations—by air, land, and sea—effective from 5:00 PM IST. Full implementation was mandated, with further dialogue scheduled for May 12 at noon.
Tensions surged earlier in the week following India’s strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched a multi-pronged attack using drones, missiles, and aircraft, targeting Indian military and civilian sites near the western border. India responded with defensive and counter-offensive operations.
U.S. President Donald Trump credited his administration with facilitating the ceasefire. Trump stated that he had helped open communication channels between the two nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio added via social media that talks between India and Pakistan would soon take place at a neutral venue. However, Indian government sources stressed that no discussions beyond the ceasefire had been agreed upon.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ishaq Dar, acknowledged the ceasefire’s enforcement at 4:30 PM Pakistan time. He issued a warning that Pakistan would retaliate against any future aggression while thanking international partners for their role in de-escalation.
With airspace now open and diplomatic engagement underway, the global community is watching closely to see whether the ceasefire will endure—or if regional tensions will once again boil over.
