Islamabad, 11 Oct 2023:A myriad of pressing issues permeating the aviation sector of Pakistan, notably the prolonged delay in reinstating previously cancelled pilots’ licenses, which is posing a substantive economic impediment, took the center stage at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation. According to a press release from the Senate of Pakistan, the committee, chaired by Senator Hidayat Ullah, converged at Parliament House, Islamabad, on Wednesday, probing multifaceted challenges spanning from operational delays to security measures in airports.
Senator Hidayat Ullah accentuated the deleterious economic impact arising from the delay in releasing pilots’ licenses, prompting a directive towards the Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to furnish detailed insights on the matter for the committee’s final recommendations and action. Despite a court decision, which was anchored in the Sub-Committee’s report, exonerating pilots and instructing the reissue of licenses, the CAA has yet to facilitate the pilots to resume their duties. Senator Saleem Mandviwala expressed discontent, attributing malafide intentions to the protraction, while the Director General (DG) of the CAA dismissed such allegations, citing grave legal constraints and seeking an in-camera meeting for a deeper discussion. The committee opted to defer the matter, indicating further scrutiny is imminent.
An exploration into the policy/Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) concerning the staff tasked with transferring luggage from airplanes to conveyor belts unveiled that the CAA undertakes periodic surveillance of passenger flow and baggage delivery to preclude inconvenience. The brief attributed flight delays to a paucity of airline/GHA loaders and stringent protocols in some destination countries. The committee, expressing dissatisfaction, has requested an exhaustive briefing on related and additional issues, like non-maintenance and technical glitches causing delays, in the forthcoming meeting.
The session also encompassed a discourse on the financial securities required by flying clubs in Pakistan. Currently, pursuant to the National Aviation revised Policy -2023, a security deposit of 10 million rupees for class II flying school and 3 million for class -I is mandated. The committee advocated that the CAA should envision flying schools not as a revenue venture but more as an educational establishment and deferred the matter for future consultation with club representatives.
The non-supply of fuel by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft was brought to light by Senator Mohsin Aziz as a critical issue, with the ministry revealing that an advance basis fuel arrangement is in place with the PSO. However, due to significant financial constraints, around 1,048 million PKR remained outstanding with PSO pertaining to fuel procurement. The committee rebuked the deteriorating state of the airports, underscoring the resultant dent to Pakistan’s international image and emerging flight bans to various countries, urging the ministry and the CAA to espouse a proactive and efficient approach.
In response to the committee chair’s inquiry into the installation of cameras at Karachi airport, the DG CAA communicated that despite procurement and tender awarding, the installation company’s entry permit was cancelled by the Airport Security Force (ASF). Senator Hidayat instructed the secretary of the CAA to navigate a resolution and also directed that cameras be installed at Lahore airport, with a report to be submitted within 15 days.