BAHAWALPUR, Dec 22: The second phase of the upgradation of the Bahawalpur airport is expected to be launched in January, 2003.

After the completion of the runway, the construction of a new passengers lounge and other offices will begin with the funds provided by Dubai Amir.

Dawn learnt that PIA, CAA and Airport Security Agency (ASA) had already provided lists of their requirements they would need at the airport after the introduction of Boeing flights by the middle of next year.

The PIA’s list includes the construction of a lounge for about 100 passengers, station manger’s office, a cargo office and a restaurant while the CAA and ASA have also given their requirements. Besides a new VIP lounge, the royal lounge for the visiting Dubai rulers is also in the list of new buildings.

It may be mentioned that Dubai Amir had already spent Rs360 million on the new runway while new buildings are estimated to cost Rs300 million.

Meanwhile, office-bearers of the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday regretted that they were ignored by the local administration at the inaugural function of the airports’s runway.

They said they had been making efforts for the runway’s upgradation and taking up the issue with the CAA, but they were not invited to the inaugural ceremony.

ARRESTED: An 11-year-old boy was arrested on the charge of allegedly setting the Quranic pages on fire in a mosque at Chak 44-DNB near Yazman on Saturday.

Muhammad Amir spotted Rab Nawaz in the mosque who after locking it from the inside was torching the pages of Quran. He was caught by the people and was handed over to police. The boy might be mentally retarded, police said and added that the action could be taken against the accused after his medical examination.