Pakistan incurred a substantial financial setback of Rs. 4.1 billion due to the closure of its airspace to flights from India during the “Battle of Haq” in May, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif disclosed in the National Assembly on Friday.

In a written statement to Parliament, Asif explained that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suffered the monetary blow between April 24 and June 30, 2025, while Pakistani airspace was inaccessible to Indian carriers. The disruption affected an estimated 100 to 150 Indian flights daily, causing a roughly 20% reduction in total air traffic. Asif pointed out that Pakistan encountered comparable financial repercussions in 2019 during a prior airspace closure, resulting in over Rs. 7 billion in lost overflight charges for the aviation authority.

Despite the economic impact, Asif stressed the nation’s commitment to prioritize national security. ‘Safeguarding our territory is our utmost importance. When national sovereignty and protection are involved, no expense is excessive,’ he affirmed.

Although international airlines now have full access to Pakistani airspace, limitations on Indian aircraft persist. Reciprocally, Pakistani planes remain prohibited from utilizing Indian airspace. Despite these obstacles, the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), demonstrated financial strength during this difficult time, Asif added.