Pakistan to end open sky policy, increase import age of planes

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday announced that a new aviation policy had been approved during the federal cabinet meeting.

“The purpose for this is to provide benefits to our aviation industry,” Chaudhry said, adding that it was necessary to improve travel facilities to the country;s tourist locations.

The minister announced that passenger airlines in Pakistan will be able to import aeroplanes which are 18-years-old compared to the previous limit of 12 years.

Chaudhry said cargo planes up to 30 years old could be imported.

New recommendations in regards to aviation also included charges on flight kitchens being abolished, and a recommendation to reduce taxes on domestic routes.

The minister announced a special initiative by CAA of paying up to Rs0.4 million in fees for women who seek to become pilots.

‘Pakistan to end open sky policy’

Fawad Chaudhry told reporters that the government would end the country’s open sky policy.

“This policy proved to be a great loss for PIA. Profitable routes were given to international airlines which led to a loss for PIA.”

He added that all agreements with international airlines would be reviewed.

'We welcome SC decision on Nawaz’

The minister said during the cabinet meeting the news of Nawaz Sharif being granted bail by the Supreme Court of Pakistan was received.

“We welcome the Supreme Court's decision. We have always said that court decisions will be accepted and implemented. There is no other option as court decisions have to be implemented.”

Chaudhry added that the narrative of Nawaz Sharif has been exposed. “He says there is no illness but mental tension in the prison. The chief justice asked a question that other prisoners also have this tension, so what should be done about them?”

Chaudhry added that the decision to not let Nawaz Sharif travel abroad was positive.

“The prime minister has already offered Nawaz Sharif to receive treatment form a doctor and hospital of his choice. He has the capability of calling a doctor from abroad.”

Speaking on the possibility of a plea bargain with Nawaz Sharif, the minister said there was a law for this and money stolen from the public had to be returned.

“Mian sb should be given the right legal advice, which is to return the people’s money. You can’t keep the money and say we want to go to London.”

‘Government will challenge decision’

Fawad Chaurdhy announced that the government would be challenging the Lahore High Court’s decision of removing Shehbaz Sharif's name from the Exit Control List (ECL) in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“There is a record of Sharif family members leaving the country and not coming back,” said Chaudhry.

‘First time Bilawal paid for train ticket’

Chaudhry also took a jibe at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) train march being led by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

“Sheikh Rashid said Rs1.1 million was paid for the train. This is the first time they have had to pay for the train. The good thing about Bilawal’s political activity is that for the first time had had to pay for a ticket.” 

Chaudhry called on the people of Sindh and neutral lawmakers that money in the provinces share of the NFC award was being sent abroad. 

“Both these parties [PPP and PML-N] have followed corruption like the BJP follows the RSS. They have made corruption an ideology.”

The minister stressed that the process of accountability would continue and there would no softening of the government’s stance.

Ramzan package

He said the cabinet also approved Rs2 billion Ramzan package to provide relief to people during the holy month and the subsidy would be given on daily-use items on Utility Store Corporation.

'Kartarpur corridor to be opened by November'

Speaking about Kartarpur Corridor, the minister informed media persons that the corridor will be opened for the Sikh community to travel to the Kartarpur shrine by November this year.

He said in order to ensure the required arrangements and facilitate the Sikh pilgrims, a 10-member Pakistan Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee has been constituted.

Construction of high-rise buildings in Islamabad

Chaudhry said the cabinet also allowed construction of high-rise buildings in the federal capital and for this purpose, there would be no need of obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Capital Development Authority.

To a question, he expressed the confidence that Pakistan would fulfill the conditions of Financial Action Task Force by September.