PIA to re launch Turbat-Sharjah route soon

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ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Productions was told that PIA was inducting new technology Turbo Prop (ATR-42-500 Aircraft) and it is likely to launch its flight to Sharjah from Turbat as soon as it receives the aircraft.

Aircrafts are expected to be in Pakistan as per agreement in May 2006. the committee met in the parliament house with its chairman Senator Nisar Ahmed Memon in the chair on Saturday.

The meeting while discussing the issue of non-resumption of flights by PIA on Turbat-Sharjah route was informed that in line with government’s policy to provide the services on the socio-economic routes, traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) was installed on F-27 Aircraft and the same was allowed for operation to Muscat.

However, for the operation Sharjah, Civil Aviation of UAE demanded that Required Navigational Performance-5 (RNP-5) system be installed in addition to TCAS. It was told that as an interim arrangement PIA floated an international tender for wet lease of new technology Turbo Prop but no offer was received.

It was noted that PIA and government continue to remain committed to operate on this route for the benefit of the people of Balochistan but because of the external factors. PIA could not do the same so far.

The committee while discussing the issues relating to the return flights of Hujjaj was told that following the changed Saudi-government guidelines PIA had submitted it comprehensive plan for pre-Hajj and post Hajj flights schedule and that despite timely action by PIA it had to confront with a last minute hindrance blocking its slots for post-Hajj schedule as the Saudi Government did not approve the return schedule. As a result of this 20 flights out of 350 had to be re-adjusted . as a result 7000 Hajjis had to be transported by PIA from Makkah to Medina for onward journey to Pakistan. this changed policy also affected 21 other airlines.

The members of the committee noted that the revised strategy planned by PIA resulted in reducing the inconvenience to the Hajjis.

The committee also held detailed discussion on Defence Housing Authorities set up in different parts of the country. Secretary Defence who is the chairman of the DHAs informed the Committee that DHAs Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad were created in 1980, 2002 and 2005 respectively for the welfare fo armed forces personnel and to compensate next of kin’s of Shuhada, wounded and disabled persons. These authorities are self-financing organisations functioning on no loss-no profit basis and that government resources are not being used for management and supervision required for the development of housing schemes.

The committee was also briefed about the land procurement policy, allotment criteria and the socio-economic facilities being provided to the members as well as non serving persons also as part of DHA Ordinance.

The meeting was attended, besides the chairan of the Committee Senator Nisar Ahmed Memon by Senators Asif Jatoi, Kamil Ali Agha Mouhim Khan Baloch, Farhatullah Babr and Kamran Murtaza, Senator Dr Mohammad Ismail Buledi, being the Mover, attended the meeting on special invitation Senior Federal Minister and Minister for Defence, Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid and senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and PIA were also present on the occasion.

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