SC issues notices to companies on delay in Islamabad’s new airport’s construction

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to construction companies regarding delay in building of the Islamabad’s new airport and sought a reply in the light of General Shahaid Nawaz’s report.

The court also issued a notice to the attorney general for Pakistan to assist it in the matter and also to present the government’s point of view regarding the airport’s construction.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and including Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Gulzar Ahmed, resumed the hearing into the suo motu notice regarding the delay in construction of new airport at Islamabad.

The court also directed the attorney general to assist it in ascertaining whether the appointment of the Civil Aviation Authority director general was made in a transparent manner or not.

The chief justice also sought a copy of the agreement with the construction company for the construction of new airport. He inquired about the name of the chief executive with whom the CAA signed the joint venture agreement.

The court was informed that first expansion feasibility of the airport was prepared in 1984.

The chief justice asked why was action not taken against the officials who had delayed the project and had earned money through unfair means?

He said the process of new airport’s construction was not transparent per the auditor general’s report, which alleged Rs 30 billion embezzlement in the project. He said nine objections were raised against the CAA in the report.

The chief justice said the court sought the list of contractors during the last hearing, which had not yet been provided. He said the court could not keep silent when it came to corruption.

The CAA director general told the court that he was dismissed in March 2012 and the committee had approved claims of the vendors.

He said the whole construction process was under proper check and balance as the DG CAA visited the airport sites on regular basis.

The chief justice remarked that General Shahid’s report was based on real facts and figures.

He said Rs 5 billion was paid to the company but a bill of Rs 50 million was sent to the authority. He said the report revealed that there was a major drain on the project.

The chief justice said no one took the inquiry report seriously and no action was taken against the individuals involved in corruption.

The CAA DG said the authority earned a profit of Rs 40 billion because of headway in the construction work.

The case was later adjourned for July 11.

1 COMMENT

  1. all persons who involve in curruption should be treated strickly ….this airport is taking much time why?

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