Message from Director General Civil Aviation Authority, Pakistan

This is truly a momentous occasion for the entire aviation industry in Pakistan. The landmark achievement by PIA Engineering and Maintenance Department, of obtaining international certification and Part-145 approval by EASA, is an event of great significance for us all in the Aviation Ministry, for it brings us on the world map in a very important and dynamic field.
As the Director General of Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority I rejoice and take great satisfaction on this achievement by our national airline and flag carrier. Not because that this is yet another milestone achieved by the present management, or that the airline has another certificate to add to its collection.
But because one of the two international aviation authorities, EASA European Aviation Safety Agency which has replaced the original JAA, has certified (after having audited, checked and verified) that PIA's Engineering and Maintenance Department do their work correctly, according to an approved procedure and methodology, and release safe and airworthy aircraft for commercial purposes.
That is the underlying, important factor. This is the achievement that we celebrate and which we should all take note of.
At the outset, therefore, I would like to congratulate Chairman PIAC on this notable achievement. Through is dynamic leadership and guidance this important even has been made possible, and we pray for the success of other related programmes for uplifting PIA's image in the world, and making our national airline amongst the best in the business.
My congratulations also to Director Engineering PIAC and Dy. Managing Director Operations, AVM Niaz Husain.
This achievement now for his department is really a dream come true, which should lay the foundation on which engineering should build and go from strength to strength to ensure safety of aircraft operations.
With Part-145 approval, I wish PIA Engineering department great success in the future, and we will now look forward to them being acclaimed as the finest and best in all Asia.