Foreign Ministry says aid delivery delayed by 60 hours, India denies blocking airspace
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that its humanitarian assistance mission to Sri Lanka has been delayed for more than 60 hours due to India withholding full flight clearance.
A special aircraft carrying Pakistan’s aid to Sri Lanka has been awaiting clearance to enter Indian airspace. The ministry said that the partial clearance granted by India late Sunday, after a 48-hour wait, was operationally impractical, being limited to only a few hours and not valid for the return journey.
The Foreign Ministry described the delay as “severely hindering this urgent relief mission” intended for the “brotherly people of Sri Lanka.” Pakistan had dispatched the aid in response to humanitarian needs in Sri Lanka, but the prolonged wait has raised concerns about the timely delivery of essential supplies.
India has denied all claims that it blocked airspace for Pakistan’s humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka
India continues to block humanitarian assistance from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. The special aircraft carrying Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka continues to face delay for over 60 hours now awaiting flight clearance from India.
The partial flight clearance issued by…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 2, 2025
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At least 153 people have been killed in Sri Lanka after landslides and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with 191 others missing and more than half a million affected nationwide.
According to the Disaster Management Centre, more than 78,000 people have been moved to nearly 800 relief centres, mostly set up in schools.
Thousands of police, navy personnel and army troops are distributing food, clearing roads and moving trapped families to safety.
The flooding in Malwana and other low-lying areas near Colombo has left most homes under water and without power, authorities said.
Meteorological authorities in the country have forecast continued rains over the weekend, raising fears of further flooding in already waterlogged regions.
Local businesses, including pharmacies, supermarkets and fabric shops are inundated, heightening concerns over financial losses as shop owners worry about long-term recovery.
