Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad was the chief guest at Pakistan's National Day Parade on March 23. There are reports from Pakistan's media that Modi administration denied Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad overflight permission during his recent trip to Pakistan

Pakistan has blocked its own airspace from flights which are overflying or originating from India, India said. Sources say Pakistan has been the one creating an impediment in smooth traffic of international flights that are bound westwards. As per Pakistani media reports, the permission was withdrawn at the last minute.

India on Tuesday rejected Pakistan's claims that India denied the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's flight permission to fly over India to go to Islamabad.

Calling it "false" and "motivated", sources in India said that the truth was that Pakistan has "blocked its own airspace from flights which are overflying or originating from India".

There are reports from Pakistan's media that Modi administration denied Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad overflight permission during his recent trip to Pakistan where he was the chief guest at the National Day Parade on March 23.

As per Pakistani media reports, the permission was withdrawn at the "last minute", forcing the Malaysian premier to take a much longer route over the Arabian Sea and cruise as far as Oman before returning to Islamabad.

But the truth is that it was Pakistan that has closed down airspace. Sources say that even though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had given overflight clearance to Malaysian PM's flight, it had to take a longer route because Pakistan had denied permission.

"It is strange that even for their national day guest from Malaysia, Pakistan could not make an exception," sources said.

On the contrary, sources say Pakistan has been the one creating an impediment in smooth traffic of international flights that are bound westwards.

"It may also be noted that all flights, including international flights, flying westward from/over Pakistan are not being allowed to fly over India even though India hasn't put any restriction," sources said.