The Defense Minister's advice to avoid crossing Pakistan's airspace.

 

The Pakistani government has advised commercial airlines to avoid using Pakistani airspace, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the BBC.

Khawaja Asif warned that commercial airlines were at risk of being hit by "missiles or airstrikes" and that this could result in "civilian casualties".

Several international airlines have announced that they will suspend their flights to Pakistan for a few days in the wake of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

Emirates Airlines said it was suspending flights to Pakistan until May 10.

Meanwhile, Lufthansa Airlines told the BBC earlier this week that it was suspending flights to Pakistan "until further notice".