ISLAMABAD, (Parliament Times) : The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation was held on Wednesday at the Parliament Lodges. Members were briefed on various issues that currently being faced by the Aviation Sector in Pakistan.
The meeting was presided over by Senator Hidayatullah. Members of the Committee who attended were Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla Senator Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator Atta Ur Rehman, Senator. Senator Saifullah Abro and Senator Keshoo Bai attended as movers of motions and petitions referred to the Committee for review along with senior officers from the Ministry of Aviation. Federal Minister for Aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique was also present
Matters taken up by the Committee included revival of the matter pertaining to banned flights in the UK and the European Commission, details of appointment and emoluments of DG Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), reasons for Larkana Airport being non-operational and the closure of PIA ticketing office in Hyderabad
While discussing the performance, eligibility and emoluments of current DG CAA, Federal Minister for Aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique was of the view that the designate in question was highly qualified and was managing the position well. His appointment, the Ministry asserted, was according to rules.
Reviewing the matter of immobility of Larkana Airport, the Committee was informed that despite all out efforts by the Ministry to upgrade the airport, no progress could be made due to UNESCO‘s stance of protecting the site that has been declared a World Heritage Site. The matter was taken to court implying that construction work would damage to Moenjo Daro. Taking up the issue of closure of the PIA ticketing office in Hyderabad, the Ministry was directed to revisit the matter minutely and create a skeleton office to accommodate residents.
Discussing the measures taken by the Ministry for the resumption of banned flights in the UK and the European Commission, the Committee was told that efforts are being made to ensure this matter is resolved at the earliest. However, procedures take time. The Committee was informed that IASA will be conducting an audit after which representatives of the European Union will visit Pakistan for an overall review.
The report of the sub-Committee of the Committee on Aviation presented by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla in the last meeting will be adopted by the House in the next Session.