The National Assembly was informed Wednesday that the PIA had recently signed an agreement with ABRIC Leasing Company, Ireland, to acquire ATR-72-500 Turboprop on dry lease for a period of eight years.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House during the question hour that two aircraft had already been delivered to the PIA and remaining three were expected to be delivered soon. He said these aircraft were being operated on different domestic routes.
Answering a question, Shaikh Aftab Ahmad said work on new Islamabad airport was going on rapidly and was expected to complete by next year. He said at this stage 82 percent construction work of the airport had been completed. He said efforts were underway to resolve the water issue in the area.
To a question, Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House that a committee had been formed headed by the secretary finance to finalise the package to provide added social security protection to the families of government servants who die during service. He said the committee was actively deliberating the package and as soon as it finalises, the package would be implemented. He said the prime minister wished to provide maximum facilities through this package.
Replying to a question, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique told the House that Pakistan Railways was in the process of implementing a project for computerised tracking of locomotives which would help avoid untoward incidents. He said they were endeavouring to convert unmanned railway crossings to manned railway crossings with the help of provincial governments to avoid accidents on these crossings.