ISLAMABAD: The old Islamabad Airport, which is being used for the VVIP flights and military operations, could not provide landing facility to tourists, contrary to the desire of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Moreover, despite the lapse of two years since the new Islamabad International Airport became functional, the status of 660 acres of land and assets of the old airport is still not clear, the audit report of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

It was disclosed during the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The Prime Minister in a meeting held on September 30 last year took the decision to use the old airport for landing of tourists.

The old airport was merged in the Nur Khan Air Base following the new Islamabad International Airport became operational.

The Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Director General Khaqan Murtaza informed the PAC that it was also decided to shift Rawal Lounge, VVIP waiting area, to Pakistan International Airline Corporation Limited (PIACL).

Besides, 660 acres of the old airport would be placed at the disposal of the committee comprising representatives of the defence, aviation ministries and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

He, however, said in a subsequent meeting of March 24 it was decided that the parking lot of the old airport will be handed over to the CAA while the PAF will give terminal building to the PIACL where the latter would establish its offices.

According to him, the plan for the utilisation of 660 acre will likely be finalised in the upcoming meeting of the committee on April 6.

When contacted Aviation Secretary Shaukat Ali told this reporter that since the new Islamabad International Airport is functioning properly, therefore, it was decided that instead of using the old airport for tourists flights, it would continue to be used for chartered flights and military purposes.

The office of the auditor general pointed out Rs145 billion anomalies in the financial affairs of the CAA for the year 2019-2020.

As per the audit report, the functions of old airport were shifted to the new airport on March 14, 2018, but the land and other property of the CAA at the old airport was not taken over by the PAF.

Audit observed that proper handing and taking over of CAA assets at the airport was not made which “resulted in irregular handing over of assets without proper taking over/adjustment of assets of CAA worth Rs145 billion.”

“The audit pointed out irregularity in September 2019,” the report said.

The audit further pointed out that the non-realisation of revenue on account of aeronautical, non-aeronautical and utility charges resulted in irregularity of Rs14.5 billion.

DG CAA Khaqan Murtaza told the committee that the authority has almost recovered outstanding dues from all the foreign and local airlines.

He, however, said the national flag carrier is defaulter of Rs126 billion while a ban had been imposed on Shaheen Airlines.

PAC chairman Rana Tanveer Hussain suggested that the CAA may use all the available options to clear the outstanding dues towards PIA. He said the authority might seize the PIA plane over non-payment.

He said the financial irregularities have created mess in the affairs of the government’s institutions.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2021