ISLAMABAD, Islamabad: The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed has assured the Senate that the complaints of lawmakers with regard to Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would be redressed.
“A meeting of Senators will be arranged with the authorities of PIAC and CAA so that the issues could be taken up with them,” he said during the question-hour in the House on Friday.
The minister said that all issues raised by the Senators including provinces’ quota in employment, non-availability of flights to Quetta and Peshawar from Islamabad, and criteria for appointment of members of PIAC Board of Directors (BoD).
Meanwhile, the Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani referred the issue of criteria for appointment of members of PIAC BoD to the committee concerned, asking that a report should be submitted in the House.
“It seems that there is no criteria for appointment of members of the PIAC BoD,” he said.
Sheikh Aftab said that recruitment in the federal government departments was made as per the allocated quota to the provinces.
Replying to a question, the minister said that night landing facilities were available at the Quetta International airport where recently Hajj flights were also operated during night.
To another question, he said due to poor load on Islamabad-Peshawar-Parachinar route of PIA, the operation was not feasible, adding “Due to heavy losses caused to the airlines, the operation on said route was suspended in November, 2001.”
The minister said that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) fleet got strength and its performance had considerably improved after the government gave due attention to improve working of the national flag-carrier.
APP
