RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) informed the National
Assembly Standing Committee on Aviation on Thursday, July that the government has
started a process to outsource the management and operations of the airports in
Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
The meeting, presided over by Syed Mobeen Ahmed, was told that the decision had
been taken to boost foreign exchange reserves.
The committee made it clear and was informed accordingly that PCCA was not selling
the airports as only the operation and management controls were being outsourced.
PCAA Director General Khaqan Murtaza apprised the committee that after the
amendment in rule 68 of the CAA Act, the authority to issue no-objection certificates
was taken away from the PCAA and given to the building control authorities, which had
completely failed in doing the job. The committee recommended an amendment to the
said rule, asking for action against illegal constructions.
He added that the bird strike cases have increased due to which flight operations have
been stopped at 6-8am at the Lahore airport and a bird repellent system was enhanced
in addition to awareness campaigns by the authority.
The meeting was attended by Romina Khurshid Alam, Shahnaz Saleem Malik, Dr
Darshan, Ramesh Lal, and Saira Bano. Senior officers of the Ministry of Aviation,
PCAA, PIA, and Aircraft Accident Investigation Board were also present
