ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that Pakistan International Airlines had been in very bad shape but efforts were being made to revive it.

He hinted that the privatisation of 26 per cent share of PIA was the only solution to revive the PIA; however, he said the airline’s employees should not be worried as they would be taken care.

Speaking at the launch of the new aviation policy, he said that National Aviation Policy was being presented by his government after 15 years which was being prepared with full dedication and commitments to make progress in the aviation sector as the progress rate in our country had been under .01 per cent compared to the 8.4 per cent in South Asia.

Know more: PM expresses resolve to make PIA world's leading airline

He said: “The funds required reviving the national carrier but we have to make difference between good and bad.”

He also said Pakistan needed to build new modern airports and provide facilities at old airports. He said domestic terminal at Lahore Airport would be separated from International terminal to overcome the passengers’ load.

He also said that he could not give a specific time-frame to end energy crises; however, he assured that the energy crises would be fixed during his government’s tenure.

While inviting foreign and local investors, he said they should come to Pakistan as the economic condition was improving day-by-day due to efforts made by the government.

Earlier, the national aviation policy of 2015 was unveiled by Capt retired Shujaat Azeem, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation.

The special adviser to the prime minister said in his address that under the new aviation policy the Chief Operating Officers (COOs) would be appointed at all airports to establish unit of command over six different government agencies for administrative purpose.

He announced outsourcing of all major airports, Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, landside and terminal buildings to world renowned foreign companies in airport business through a transparent process.

He said Lahore Airport terminal side would be outsourced first. And operations and management of terminal buildings of airports in Gilgit, Sakardu and Chitral shall be outsourced to private sector for promotion of tourism and connectivity through transparent process.

He said safety investigation board (SIB) would be made independent and two cargo villages one in north and one in south are being built to increase export of mangoes, vegetables and meat and dairy products.

He said the aviation division was of the view that there should be no tax on investment, tax should be on revenue. While national policy on aviation was formulated in consultation with all stakeholders, including airlines, flying clubs, chartered operators, ground handling agencies, cargo operators and general aviation.

Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister, in his speech said that economy of the country was growing rapidly and the said targets would be achieved in due time.

The function was attended by ambassadors, CAA board members and guests from aviation sectors.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2015

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