Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Major Tanveer Hussain Syed (Retd) informed the National Assembly that $ 104.7 million is the estimated cost of replacing aging PIA Foker fleet (F-27) by Bombardier Dash 8-300 aircraft.
He was answering a question raised by MNA Rana Asif Tauseef here on Monday.
He further informed that the total cost will also include simulator, spares, spare engines, facilities and training.
The decision was taken after comparison of three different aircraft by the PIAC board of directors in it's meeting held on August 27, 2004.
Minister of State for Communication Engineer Shahid Jamil Qureshi, while answering a question raised by Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, said that 593 employees are working in Pakistan Post's Urgent Mail Service (UMS).
The minister said that 121 employees are working in UMS on temporary basis and their permanent absorption is subject to clearance of the prescribed recruitment examination for the relevant posts, which is necessary and a continuous process.
On a question raised by Hakim Qari Gul Rehman on gas provision to coastal areas of Karachi, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon said that pipelines have been laid for supply of gas to coastal areas of Karachi.
The minister further informed that Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has not received any funds from any agency to supply gas to coastal areas of Karachi except Kachelo Goth, Deh Movach through MNAs Tameer-e-Pakistan Programme (TPP) in 2004 and gas will be provided to these areas in October this year.
Major Tanveer, while answering a question raised by MNA Rana Asif Tauseef, informed the National Assembly that all federal ministers, MNAs and senators are entitled for VIP airport entry passes.
Concerned ministries and the Parliament forwarded names of dignitaries along with requisite documents to airport security force headquarters in Karachi.
The minister, while answering a question raised by MNA Sherry Rehman Iqbal, said that PIA do not allow free-of-charge excess baggage on any domestic flight.
Free-of-cost excess baggage is allowed only for commercial reasons, therefore, it cannot be termed as a revenue loss to PIA because, in this lieu, PIA gains other benefits as other airlines also provide these concessions to their clients on commercial grounds.
The communication minister informed that the Makran Coastal National Highway (N-10) connecting Karachi with Gwadar is expected to be inaugurated in the second half of October, 2004.