Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Thursday stressed on making the airports attractive with provision of facilities for passengers as well as international investors and domestic and foreign industrialists and businessmen. In this regard, he called for establishing an integrated system of modern hotels, convention centre, along with provision of facilities for business people near the airports.
The governor discussed these matters with the Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Marshal Parvez Akhtar Nawaz (Retd) and other officials during a visit to CAA Headquarter and various sections of Quaid-e-Azam International Airport.
Principal Secretary to Governor Brigadier Akhtar Zamin (Retd) was also present on the occasion. The governor was given a briefing on CAA working at its Headquarter and later he inspected various lounges, immigration and customs counters, duty free shops and other facilities. Dr Ibad inspected the ongoing work on La Maredian Hotel near the airport. The officials present there informed that repair and renovation work with provision of additional facilities of this 200-bed hotel will be completed within six months.
The governor asked the CAA authorities to take initiative for more hotels. He told them that with improvement of law and order, provision of proper infrastructure and simplification of rules and regulations, the investors are showing practical interest in Karachi. He pointed out that a positive image of Karachi has emerged at the international level and continuous holding of international events and visits of delegations and personalities warrant the streamlining of facilities in the city on better and modern lines.
He observed that availability of attractive and better business facilities near airport will play an important role. The centres of business facilitations, convention centre and similar other steps will cast positive impact. He also called for taking full advantage of duty free shops.
Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan directed the authority to carry out proper publicity of available facilities so that people could become aware and take advantage of the same.