Winding up discussion on a motion moved by Farhatullah Baber on overall performance of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the Senate on Monday that losses of PIA have come down from Rs 44 billion in 2013 to Rs 20 billion by the end of last year and the national airliner would be turned into profitable entity in the next two years.
He said PIA suffered losses due to mismanagement and corruption in the past and the present government has taken measures to rectify the situation. He said there were only 13 aircraft when the present government assumed power but now their number has increased to 36.
The House decided to form an all parties committee to look into the affairs of PIA. The Chairman would announce formation of the committee in consultation with Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition.
Those who took part in the discussion included Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Azam Khan Musakhel, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Ayesha Raza, Shahi Syed, Mir Kabir, Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Nauman Wazir, Nihal Hashmi, Mushahidullah Khan, Mian Attique Shaikh, Mohsin Aziz, Saeed Ghani, Rehman Malik and Nasreen Jalil. The Senate passed a resolution recommending the government to take immediate steps to establish Natural Science Museums in the country. It was moved by Karim Ahmad Khawaja.
Winding up debate on a motion, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the House that the government has got heat rate re-determined of two public sector GENCOs, which has resulted into substantial saving of fuel.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad informed the House that a signal free road will be constructed to link Islamabad and Rawalpindi with the new Islamabad International Airport. He said work on signal free corridor from Zero Point to Rawat is also in progress and its completion will facilitate flow of traffic.
He said work is also in hand to make Kashmir Highway signal free while traffic flow on Murree Road in Rawalpindi has considerably eased following launching of Metro Bus and expansion of Murree Road.
Earlier, the mover and Abdul Qayyum, Tahir Mashhadi and Mir Kabir said construction of ring roads around all cities of the country is a must to lower pressure of traffic and to prepare for any natural calamity or emergency.
