Aviation law amendments discussed ahead of IATA inspection for PIA int’l flight resumption

• Dar directs authorities to prepare ahead of IATA inspection.
• Meeting's focus was on necessary amendments in aviation laws.
• Aim is to resume PIA flights to UK, USA and parts of Europe.

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has instructed the authorities to prepare necessary amendments to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) law to qualify for the upcoming International Air Transport Association (IATA) inspection in July that will enable the resumption of PIA flights to the United Kingdom, United States, and other European countries.

The decision came after the minister, who chaired the meeting on the matter related to the CAA and the Airport Security Force at the Finance Division, was briefed on issues that the aviation sector is facing with regard to regulation, security, service provision, safety and enhancement of state capacity.

During the meeting, the focus was on the necessary amendments required in the aviation laws/ordinances to improve service delivery and standards of the country's aviation sector, aligning them with those followed internationally with the aim to resume the national airliner's flights to the UK, USA and Europe.

Meanwhile, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet under the chair of Dar approved a summary for the import of Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) products on foreign suppliers’ accounts through customs-bonded storage facilities.

The ECC considered and approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs200 million in favour of the Department of Auditor General of Pakistan (DAGP) to meet employee-related expenses.

The ECC reconsidered a summary of the interior ministry and approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs3.8 billion, including Rs2.98 billion for FC KP (North) and Rs824 million for FC KP (South) for ration bills.

The meeting was also attended by the Aviation and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, secretary Aviation, DG ASF, DG CAA and senior officers from finance and aviation attended the meeting.