Delay in release of Pilots license causing huge loss to economy: Senator HidayatUllah

ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (EPI): Senator HidayatUllah on Wednesday remarked that the delay in the release of Pilots license which were preciously cancelled is causing huge loss to country’s economy and directed the Ministry and the CAA to submit details on the matter for committee’s final recommendations and implementation .
The Senate Standing Committee on Aviation which met on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Senator HidayatUllah here at the Parliament House raised the matter of Pilots license issue.
Senator Saleem Mandviwala said that the matter is deliberately delayed with malafide intentions.
He said that the Court gave decision based on the Sub- Committee’s report on the same and acquitted the FIRs of the pilots but despite being given the detailed judgement the CAA did not cater the pilots so that they could resume flying.
The DG CAA denied the allegation of having any malafide intentions behind the delay and said that there are serious constraints regarding the legal procedure and requested an in-camera meeting on the matter.
The committee chair deferred the matter for further probe and inquiry.

While discussing the matter of policy/ SOPs for the staff deputed for shifting of luggage from Aeroplanes to luggage conveyer belts and reasons for its delay the committee was briefed that CAA closely monitors the passenger flow and baggage delivery time to time to avoid inconvenience to passengers, further said in case of delays punitive action is taken against GHA/SHA to avoids recurrence.
It was briefed that some of the reasons the flights are delayed is shortage of airline /GHA loaders and strict protocols of same destination countries. The committee expressing dissatisfaction with the brief sought a detailed briefing on the same and other issues pertaining to delays of flight due to non-maintenance and technical faults, delivery of procurement etc in the next meeting.

The committee was also briefed on the cash security requisite by flying clubs in Pakistan.
It was briefed that currently, applicable Security Deposit requirements for flying school license (including flying clubs ) are aligned with National Aviation revised Policy -2023 approved by the Federal Cabinet as 10 million rupees for class II flying school and 3 million for class -I .
The committee was of the view that the CAA should not run flying schools as a revenue operation but rather an educational setup. The committee defered the matter and decided to call the club’s representatives and take their view point on the same.

Senator Mohsin Aziz raised the issue of non supply of fuel by the PSO to PIA aircrafts. He said that non supply of fuel is a critical issue and the ministry should play a leading role in resolving the matter.

It was apprised by the ministry that fuel arrangement with PSO is in advance basis and due to critical financial issue around 1,048 million PKR were outstanding with PSO in relation to fuel procurement. The committee lamented this worsening situation of the airports in Pakistan causing damage to the country’s image internationally and resulting in increasing issues of flight bans to different countries.
The committee stressed that a proactive approach is required by the ministry and the CAA with diligence and efficiency.

The committee chair also inquired the DG CAA on the installation of cameras at Karachi airport as per directions given in the previous meeting since it was observed that as suspicious flight from India to karachi and further to UAE was departed, to which the DG replied that the cameras have been procured and tender awarded but ASF has cancelled entry permit of company the installation company.
Senator Hidayat directed secretary CAA to resolve this issue and said that cameras should also be installed at lahore airport. The committee sought report with in 15 days. The meeting was attended by Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, Senator Umer Farooq and Senator Saif Ullah Abro.