The government conceded on Tuesday that financial irregularities have been detected in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Tanvir Hussain Syed told the Lower House that a CAA delegation was barred to visit China due to some 'suspicions'.
He was responding to a calling attention notice regarding stoppage of visit of a CAA delegation to China for purchase of equipment for up-gradation of the radar system.
Tanvir said a CAA delegation had earlier visited China without the consent of the defence ministry. This time, he added, a four-member delegation was also planning to tour China without the prior approval of the ministry. He informed the house that the finance ministry has been directed to recover the amount spent on CAA officials' visit to China.
He stunned the house by telling that the authorities purchased SAR-23 categories aircraft instead of SAR-25 whose tenders were issued. The parliamentary secretary admitted that the CAA was involved in financial scam. Moreover, Tanvir Hussain said some officials of the Civil Aviation Authority were also involved in land scam at Shahrae Faisal.
He even went on saying the CAA director-general does meet the criteria to be appointed at the top slot. However, Tanvir said, he would not disclose the name of those who appointed him. M.P. Bhandara, a treasury member, questioned why a person who does not meet the criteria was made head of the department.
Other members demanded of Speaker Amir Hussain to refer the matter to the house standing committee of defence. However, there was no immediate response from the chair.
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