Creation of a separate Aviation Division dealing with commercial air transport industry is a step in the right direction. Having taken a welcome decision, it is shocking that the PML-N government has appointed a Canadian national as Advisor Aviation, who was removed from PAF. He also owns Royal Airport Services, a ground handling agency regulated by CAA. As for his administrative skills, the embarrassment caused by cancellation of interim Chairman PIA’s notification by SC should have been enough. The fact is that PIA is a statutory organisation created under PIAC Act. It is also an unfortunate reality that in the recent past all appointments, contracts and administrative cum financial matters relating to PIA and CAA have not been in accordance with acts of a statutory body.
Pakistan’s aviation industry has suffered failures under Ministry of Defense, from suspension by European Union to heightened bird activity, violation of mandatory sterile zones around periphery of civil airports, appointment of vendors of ill-repute for essential spare parts procurement, creation of cartels leading to fleecing of pilgrims and reducing CAA to a welfare organisation for retired uniformed officers.
The fact is that similarities between military aviation and commercial civil aviation are as diverse and far apart as between veterinary doctor and a cardiologist or oncologist. In recent past, CAA Pakistan and MoD had granted permission for registration of Rayyan Air’s freighter aircraft owned by two Indian citizens, and has now given them formal permission for starting a domestic airline. Till recently this was banned by MoD to protect vital national security concerns.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore