August 20, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 17, 1429

HYDERABAD, Aug 19: The government will help revive the glory of Hyderabad by providing infrastructure for basic necessities, said Federal Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar.

He was speaking at a ceremony to mark resumption of PIA flights from Hyderabad on Tuesday.

He said the city would return to its former state with the combined efforts of all stakeholders, including traders, industrialists, agriculturists and public representatives. He praised the people who strived in the resumption of flights from here. The airport should be made sustainable so that direct flights could be made available from Hyderabad in future, said the minister.

He asked the officers concerned of Civil Aviation Authority to prepare PC-I to make Hyderabad Airport feasible for landing of Boeing, Air Bus and 737 planes in future.

He promised to fulfil the demand of providing refuelling facility put up by District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil for ensured direct flights to Islamabad. He said PIA’s problems would also be addressed to make it a profitable organisation.

PIA Managing Director Capt Aijaz Haroon said resumption of flights was one of the promises of Benazir Bhutto now fulfilled with the cooperation of all.Initially, the management initiated two flights with ATR planes from Hyderabad via Nawabshah, Lahore and Islamabad on Tuesdays and Fridays, while direct flights could be operated if refuelling facility was provided at the airport, he said.

Provision of basic requirements, including a developed road and public transport facility from city to airport was essential to make flight operations successful, he said.

The Managing Director assured cargo facility by road from Hyderabad to Karachi to facilitate traders, industrialists and agriculturists.

Captain Aijaz Haroon said PIA was facing huge financial losses for which the government should come to its rescue as was in other industries.

Director General, Civil Aviation Authority, Sajid Habib assured expansion of runway subject to an increase in passengers. He said the CAA will re-carpet the airport along with the landing facility for Boeing planes, if and when the air traffic increased.

President, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Haji Muhammad Yaqoob appreciated the efforts of District Nazim Hyderabad in resuming flights from airport and demanded the PIA management to mount more flights.

District Nazim thanked Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for resumption of flights from Hyderabad adding that the move would gear up business and sports activities.He also thanked Naveed Qamar and MNA Salahuddin for raising the issue at the floor of the Assembly. He said flight resumption was made possible with PIA’s cooperation.

He said Hyderabad’s was the only airport among smaller ones where night landing was available and refuelling facility will make it sustainable.

District Nazim said landing of Boeing planes could be possible if the runway was expanded from 7,000 meters to 9,000 meters. He said cargo flights would be beneficial to growers of Hyderabad and its adjoining area.—APP