ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: The Senate standing committee on defence and defence production was told on Saturday that in line with the government’s policy to provide flight services on routes of socio-economic importance, the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) had been installed on F27 aircraft, which were allowed for operation to Muscat.

During discussion on non-resumption of flights by Pakistan International Airlines on the Turbat-Sharjah route, the committee was told that the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates demanded that the Required Navigational Performance-5 (RNP-5) system be installed in addition the TCAS.

It was told that as an interim arrangement, the PIA floated an international tender for wet lease of new technology Turbo Prop aircraft, but no offer was received.

The committee was told that the PIA was inducting new technology Prop ATR42-500 aircraft and it was likely to launch its flight to Sharjah from Turbat as soon as it received the aircraft, expected to be here as per agreement in May.

It was noted that the PIA and the government remained committed to operating on the route for the benefit of the people of Balochistan but it could not be done so far because of the external factors.

On issues relating to Haj flights, the committee presided over by its chairman Senator Nisar Ahmed Memon was told that following the changed Saudi government guidelines, the PIA had submitted it a comprehensive plan for pre-Haj and post-Haj flights schedule but it had to confront a last minute hindrance, blocking its slots for post-Haj schedule as the Saudi government did not approve the return schedule.

As a result, 20 out of 350 flights had to be re-adjusted and 7,000 Hajis had to be transported by the PIA from Makkah to Medina for onward journey to Pakistan.

The change in policy also affected 21 other airlines.

Members of the committee noted that the revised strategy of the PIA resulted in reducing inconvenience to the Hajis.

The committee also discussed the setting up of defence housing authorities in different parts of the country.

The defence secretary, who is the chairman of the DHAs, informed the meeting that the DHAs in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad were created in 1980, 2002 and 2005, respectively, for the welfare of armed forces personnel and to compensate next of kin of martyrs, wounded and disabled servicemen.

He said the authorities were self-financing organizations functioning on no profit no loss basis and that government resources were not being used for management and supervision required for the development of the housing schemes.

The committee was also briefed about the land procurement policy, allotment criteria and the socio-economic facilities being provided to the members as well as non-serving persons under the DHA Ordinance.

On request by Senator Farhatullah Babar, the defence ministry agreed to give written response to his questions within a week.