The General Headquarters (GHQ) has asked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to obtain clearance before initiating construction work to set up an airstrip at Islamkot, district Tharparkar, it is reliably learnt. This was conveyed to the CAA at a meeting of the GHQ and the Ministry of Defence with Sindh government officials, including Secretary Mines and Minerals Ajaz Khan, and Director General Sindh Coal Authority Mumtaz Qureshi, held in the federal capital on Friday.
It may be mentioned here that the GHQ had written a letter to the Sindh government a few days ago, asking it to obtain prior permission regarding establishment of airstrip at Islamkot, which is located within 80 kilometres of the International Border at Tharparkar district, aimed at facilitating foreign investors to reach Thar coalfields.
According to sources, the Sindh government had apprised the officials of the GHQ and the Ministry of Defence that the CAA was requested to provide assistance in the identification and selection of suitable site for the airstrip at Thar coalfields in the year 2003.
After which a joint field survey had been undertaken by the CAA, the Sindh Coal Authority, and the local administration had identified and selected an area falling around villages Shive-Jo-Tar and Bhope-Jo-Tar near Islamkot Town of Tharparkar district, they added.
The Sindh government had approved the location for the airstrip with a total cost of Rs 972.070 million, they said, adding that the Headquarters Engineers 5 Corps, Liaquat Barracks, Karachi also cleared the site through the letter No 60502/General, dated 7th February, 2003.
The officials of the GHQ and the Ministry of Defence were convinced during the meeting and the CAA had been directed to obtain a formal clearance from the General Headquarters before starting development work at Islamkot airstrip, they said. Sources said the project was in the public interest besides having immense national importance, adding that further delay in its execution would lead to great loss to the country.
Secretary Mines and Mineral Department Ajaz Khan toldBusiness Recorder that the Sindh government would only provide funds, while the CAA would be responsible for the project's execution, maintenance of airstrip etc. CAA had been directed to obtain a clearance from the GHQ before the start of development work, he said.
He said the CAA had invited tenders for pre-qualification of contractors and its last date was September 7, 2009 so that the construction work could be started as soon as possible. Islamkot airstrip was a part of providing basic infrastructure at Thar coalfields to facilitate foreign investors, experts and other technical staff, he added.
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