KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Monday inaugurated its newly established Bholari airbase, called by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman “a project of strategic significance for capacity enhancement of the PAF”.

The event was specially arranged on the birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam to pay homage to the Father of the Nation.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony at the airbase as the chief guest, the air chief highlighted the importance of the new facility and called it a significant addition to the force’s overall operational capacity.

“Indeed, PAF Base Bholari is a project of strategic significance for capacity enhancement of Pakistan Air Force in operational domain both overland as well as at sea,” a statement quoted the air chief as saying. “With establishment of the base, PAF would be able to support the land operations of Pak Army more efficiently. More so, PAF Base Bholari would also augment and supplement the very important maritime operations carried out by Pak Navy. The air chief also said that the establishment of PAF Base Bholari would also play a key role in safeguarding the CPEC project.”

The airbase — located northeast of Karachi — is a significant milestone that will not only strengthen the defence of Karachi and coastline but also provide aerial support to Pakistan Army and Navy for their land and sea operations, respectively.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as the guest of honour where four F-16 aircraft presented the fly past to welcome the guests.

“With establishment of the base, the PAF would be able to support the land operations of Pak Army more efficiently,” said the air chief in his address. “More so, PAF Base Bholari would also augment and supplement the very important maritime operations carried out by Pak Navy. The establishment of PAF Base Bholari would also play a key role in safeguarding the CPEC project.”

He further said that besides providing aerial defence to the motherland, PAF Base Bholari would also play a key role in socio-economic uplift of the adjoining areas by providing state-of-the-art health services, quality education and employment to the locals. The chief guest unveiled the new emblem of the Bholari base to inaugurate it, added the statement.

The air chief also visited the various newly constructed facilities and infrastructure of the base. He also interacted with the airmen, while visiting the flight line of the squadron, it added.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2017