PM Sharif’s economy czar has ordered authorities to prepare legislation proposals to oil the wheels of the Aviation sector, in addition to seeking a presentation on PIA restructuring, to strengthen the frayed ties with international aviation.
By Muhammad Ali
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Thursday led two separate meetings at the Finance Division with far reaching implications for the country’s Aviation sector in general and for the restructuring of PIA in particular, officials said.
A brief statement issued by the Finance Division about the first meeting said it deliberated matters pertaining to the Civil Aviation Division and Airport Security Force.
The powerful economy czar who has the ear of both Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and party supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, concluded the meeting ordering preparation of legislation proposals for the consideration of Parliament, with a view to enhancing the capacity and standards of domestic aviation to international levels.
He was briefed on the issues facing the Aviation sector in the areas of regulation, service provision, and security functions. The meeting discussed various legal solutions available and the necessary amendments required in the aviation laws in order to enhance the capacity and standards of the domestic aviation sector to bring it in line with international norms.
The Finance Minister instructed the relevant authorities to bring forward the appropriate legislation proposals as soon as possible to ensure quick resumption of PIA flights to the USA, UK, and Europe.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Aviation and Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa, Secretary Aviation, Secretary Law & Justice, DG ASF, DG CAA and senior officers from Finance and Aviation attended the meeting.
A separate press release issued for the second meeting chaired by Dar said it was focused on the restructuring of PIA, the national flag career that fell on hard times under the previous government because of gross mismanagement.
The team from Aviation Division briefed the Finance Minister about operational and financial challenges facing the PIA authorities and gave a detailed presentation outlining the possible solutions and measures to tackle those issues.
The members deliberated upon the solutions available for restructuring of PIACL in order to enhance its performance and make it compatible with the international standards. Dar appreciated the way forward suggested and instructed the relevant authorities to develop a detailed road-map for presentation in the next meeting, the statement said.
Among other attendees of the meeting were Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique; Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar; Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal; SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa; Secretary Aviation, Air Vice Marshal Mr. M. Amir Hayat; and senior officers from the Finance and Aviation divisions.
The Pakistani aviation sector is facing a number of challenges. Despite these challenges which are significant, the Pakistani aviation sector has latent potential that can be released to post growth going forward. The country has a large and growing population, and there is a pent-up demand for air travel. If the government can address the challenges facing the sector, there is no reason why Pakistan cannot emerge as a major aviation hub in the region.
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