Pakistan refused a request by India to allow President Ram Nath Kovind to use its air for his foreign visits to Iceland, Switzerland, and Slovenia, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi anunced on Saturday. 

President Ram Nath Kovind will be flying to  European countries from Monday, during which he is expected to brief top leership in those countries on India's "national concerns", especially in view of terror incidents this year, including Pulwama attack perpetrated by Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Pertaining to strained relationship between Pakistan and India, Prime Minister of former country, Imran Khan approved decision to restrict President's pass, Qureshi told Pakistani media. 

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Pakistan air closure

Pakistan fully closed its air on February 26 after Indian Air Force fighter jets struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot following Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. However, in March, it partially opened its air but kept its ban for Indian flights.

Aviation Secretary Nusrat, who is also Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on Thursday informed Senate Standing Committee on Aviation that his department has intimated Indian officials that Pakistani air would remain unavailable for use by India until country withdraws its fighter jets from forward positions, Dawn News reported.

Pakistan Federal Minister for Science and Techlogy Faw Ahmed Chaudhry took to Twitter on August 27 to anunce that Pakistan PM Imran Khan is considering a complete closure of its air to India, following abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Faw Hussian also claimed that Imran Khan is considering a complete ban on use of Pakistan land routes for Indian tre to Afghanistan. He ded that legal formalities for same are under consideration. 

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PM Modi refused to use Pakistan air

Despite Pakistan opening up its air for PM Modi to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on June 21, Prime Minister refused to fly over Pakistan's air while  Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. Prime Minister flew over Oman, Iran, and several Central Asian countries to reach Bishkek.

(With PTI inputs)