Pakistan Accuses India of Blocking Humanitarian Aid Flight to Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused India of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka by delaying clearance for a special flight.

According to an official statement issued by the ministry, a special flight carrying emergency relief supplies for victims of floods and landslides in Sri Lanka has been delayed for more than 60 hours as it awaits flight clearance from Indian airspace. Pakistani officials stated that after a two-day delay, India issued a highly restrictive flight approval that was not only insufficient but also described as operationally unfeasible.

The clearance was reportedly valid for only a few hours and did not permit a return leg of the flight—an issue Pakistan claims has seriously disrupted the timely delivery of aid to Sri Lankan victims.

In recent days, severe flooding and landslides in parts of Sri Lanka have created a state of crisis, with reports indicating that more than 300 people have died and many others remain missing.

The Taliban administration has remained silent on the disaster, despite bearing the responsibility to support the Afghan population and align with regional and international humanitarian efforts.