Arshad Malik SI (M) Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board (PACB) has strongly urged the Karachi's business fraternity to enhance collaboration with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in aviation sector.
Speaking at a seminar on "PAC-Private Industry Partnership for Pakistan's aviation sector needs" held at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here, he said no one in the world excepted China came closer to Pakistan but it was also interest-oriented closeness therefore, they were now paying more focus on enhancing collaboration with private sector to get more self-sufficiency in the aviation industry.
He said PACB had best operational capabilities and had recently signed a deal with Nigeria for Super Mushshak Trainer Aircraft (SMTA) at 50 percent down payment besides they had also finalised contracts for SMTA with Qatar and Turkey as well. He said: "PAF is the only air force in the world, which designs, manufactures, operates and exports JF-17 Thunder jets," adding that 58 percent manufacturing of JF-17 Thunder jets was now localised.
He said, "We had huge technological potential and lot of new business opportunities were being created in the light of CPEC project and the construction of new airport." Chairman PACB said they were not eyeing on the pockets of business community but wanted to seek their help to link academia and industry under one roof and assured the business community to provide all support to run business affairs in safe manner. He further said largest Mirage fighter jet fleet having over 100 aircraft was operated by the PAF and had a lead role in operation Zarb-e-Azb.
He said PAF was vigilant day and night and ready to thwart any aggression by the enemy and lauded the support and respect given by the Karachi's business fraternity during his visit to the chamber.
Earlier, Aamir Hassan, group captain, PACB in his electronic presentation proposed four categories for collaboration with PACB to the business community. He said that technology restriction and hostile adversary were restrained private sector to get engaged in aviation sector. Therefore, PACB has given business proposal comprises four categories - private sector to initiate commercial work at PACB facilities, to invest in PACB facilities to build aviation related downstream industry and reduce foreign dependency and to undertake design and development program.
In his speech, Shamim Fippo, President, KCCI congratulated the chairman PACB for signing 52 SMTA deal with Turkey, saying that chamber, which was supposed to be a bridge between government and business community, was poised to give all out support to the PACB for promoting defense exports.
Moreover, he said General Raheel Sharif had played a vital role in maintaining peace in the country and his efforts for restoring peace in Karachi would never be forgotten. Siraj Kassim Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group during his speech announced to constitute a committee to create a liaison with PACB, saying that business community could do a lot but system had to be built.
Meanwhile, Zubair Motiwala, vice chairman Businessmen Group said PACB was on right track and partnership with private sector could do wanders in achieving self-sufficiency in the field of avionics. A large number of businessmen were present on the occasion.