Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday approved Pakistan to Taiwan flights and related airspace use by two Taiwanese carriers, according to official documents. The papers clear passenger and cargo operations by EVA Air and China Airlines from 28 October through 27 March 2027.
The move came hours after reports that Islamabad had barred Taiwanese airlines from Pakistani airspace in line with Beijing’s “one China” policy. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was quoted as saying the country had closed its airspace to those carriers. Reports later said overflight rights had been restored. There was no immediate comment from Asif.
What the approval documents say
Two documents dated Wednesday authorise the passenger and cargo flights. They name EVA Air and China Airlines and set the validity window through 27 March 2027. The papers do not refer to any earlier restriction, and they do not state whether the fresh authorisations reverse a previous ban.
In practical terms, the Civil Aviation Authority — Pakistan’s air-transport regulator — has put Taiwanese airline operations through Pakistani airspace back on a clear, dated footing for both passengers and cargo until early 2027.
How the restriction claim unfolded
The sequence on Wednesday moved quickly. An initial account attributed to Asif described a closure of airspace to Taiwanese carriers. Later reporting said Pakistan had restored those overflight rights. The minister did not immediately respond publicly to clarify the gap between the quoted remark and the written approvals.
Because the documents are silent on any ban, it remains unclear from the papers alone whether officials reversed a short-lived restriction or simply issued routine seasonal clearances. What is confirmed is the CAA’s written go-ahead for the two airlines through March 2027.
Pakistan, China and Taiwan
Pakistan has long backed Beijing’s “one China” policy, under which China treats self-governed Taiwan as its territory and expects diplomatic partners not to maintain formal ties with Taipei. China has not ruled out force to take control of the island.
In April, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te postponed a visit to Eswatini, Taiwan’s only diplomatic partner in Africa, after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permissions. Taiwan’s government blamed pressure from Beijing; China denied applying pressure but praised those countries’ decisions. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 1949: China and Taiwan begin separate governance after China’s civil war.
- April (this year): Lai Ching-te postpones an Eswatini visit after several Indian Ocean states withdraw overflight permissions; Taipei blames Beijing pressure, which China denies.
- Wednesday morning (reports): Asif is quoted saying Pakistan closed airspace to Taiwanese carriers.
- Wednesday (later reports): Overflight rights for Taiwanese carriers are said to be restored.
- Wednesday (documents): CAA approvals for EVA Air and China Airlines passenger and cargo flights take effect from 28 October through 27 March 2027.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ki Civil Aviation Authority ne do Taiwanese airlines — EVA Air aur China Airlines — ko ijazat de di hai. Yeh ijazat 28 October se 27 March 2027 tak passenger aur cargo flights ke liye hai. Pehle yeh kaha gaya tha ke Pakistan ne in airlines ka airspace band kar diya tha, lekin ab likhi hui approval aa gayi hai. Musafir aur cargo bhejne walon ke liye yeh baat clear hai ke yeh do airlines is muddat tak Pakistani airspace istemal kar sakti hain.
