Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has clarified that India has not restrained PIA from using its air space. Earlier, media had reported that India has restrained PIA from using its air space. However, General Manager Public Affairs/Official Spokes-person PIA Daniyal Gilani negated the reports and said that no such instructions have been issued by Indian civil aviation.
In a statement issued, the PIA Spokesperson further clarified that due to restrictions of take-off weight from Peshawar, PK894 was re-routed to operate via Lahore for Kuala Lumpur. The re-routing was done well in advance and all concerned were duly informed. There was no resistance from any quarter, whether local or international for landing at Lahore. After refuelling the flight has already departed for Kuala Lumpur. Such re-routings are an accepted feature in commercial aviation.