Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved Rs 5.7 billion for upgradation/modernisation of airport security system at six international airports of the country after recent attacks at Karachi and Peshawar airports, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet was informed on Monday.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Secretary Muhammad Ali Gardezi informed the committee that subsequent to attacks on airports, the authority held a consultative meeting with the security agencies responsible for security of the nuclear assets of the country - Nescom. On their advice, the authority has placed order for 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to Heavy Mechanical Complex and 50 steel bunkers to further improve internal security at all six airports.
He maintained that the ASF did not have APCs at the time of attack at airport and they had to fight physically with the terrorists and security men lost several lives. The Secretary said, "We will also enhance human resource of ASF for better surveillance," adding that police, Rangers and army have already been deputed at high-rises alongside airports from where airports internal areas are visible.
Managing Director, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Muhammad Junaid Yunus said PIA does not have enough aircraft to cover all the destinations in the country. He further disclosed that no airliner manufacturer or leasing company is ready to invest in Pakistan now. The MD further said Turkish and other airline companies declined their request for leasing aircraft for Pakistan at the eleventh hour. He said GE Capital Aviation has given on lease aircrafts for six years which strengthened the fleet, adding that four more aircraft would soon be included in the PIA fleet. "We have to repay leasing company $225,000 per month on an aircraft for six years with an option to replace them with more fuel efficient aircraft," he added.
Senator Talha Mehmood, however, said that leasing of an aircraft is much expensive than purchasing. He calculated that in six years, PIA has to make repayment of Rs 1.6 billion in lease; whereas, the cost of aircraft is up to $60 million. Talha Mehmood said it was strange that the airliners taxing at the time of attack at Karachi airport received no damage. Secretary Gardezi said the footage of CCTV installed at the airport showed that ASF personnel's strong resistance saved the airlines from heavy losses. He further informed the committee that two rockets were fired inside the airport; but one rocket missed the target, while another could not be fired as terrorist failed to remove its cape.
Senator Talha Mehmood said the airport like the one in Gilgit-Baltistan have no security as everyone has access to runways. He further said that firing incident at Peshawar airport took place as the airport was located close to commercial area. The secretary responded that security outside the airport was not the responsibility of CAA and ASF. "We have close co-ordination with FC outside Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Rangers in Sindh, Punjab and in Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilgit scouts are responsible to secure the surrounding of airports," he added.
Committee Chairperson Senator Kulsoom Parveen expressed concern that the two accidents would give room to other airliners and passengers who may refuse to dislodge at any particular airport due to security in future and such situation would defame Pakistan further. She directed strict monitoring of the men in uniform at airports and those who might use their uniforms to sabotage installations.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed assured the committee that quota would strictly be observed in recruitment in ASF. He further said that Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of ASF in a comprehensive briefing to him.
Senator Kulsoom told secretary CAA that there were some reports that civic administration is serving notices to newly built housing societies near new airports of Islamabad for vacating the area. She said the administration should stop the mushroom growth of housing societies at initial stage.
Aftab said it may be possible that CDA, NHA, RDA or some other government departments directed them to vacate the place. He suggested that the committee's members should physically visit the housing societies and to give recommendations to the prime minister.
Senator Nawabzada Saifullah Magsi pointed out that Civil Aviation Authority took short-term measures by diversion of flights to Islamabad after recent incidents which increased the air traffic at Islamabad airport. He voiced his apprehensions that it might create another serious security issue.
Secretary CAA replied that the authority has taken extra land from Pakistan Army on lease for the parking of up to 300 government vehicles there and National Logistic Cell (NLC) is also working on another project for the facilitation of passengers at airport. The senate standing committee on cabinet met here on Monday at parliament house with Kulsoom Parveen in chair and discussed issues - attack on Karachi Airport, delay in expansion of Gilgit Airport, position of the work on Gwadar Airport, update by the PIA on the flights reserved for Islamabad-Quetta sector. The committee has set up a sub-committee to look into the issues causing delay in execution of work at Gilgit Airport.
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