DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday visited Dera Ismail Khan International Airport, where officials of the Pakistan Airports Authority briefed him on the status of the facility and ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mr Kundi said carpeting work on the runway had already been completed, while the remaining work would soon be finalised to make the airport operational.

He noted that the Dera Ismail Khan airport had been closed since 2015 and stressed the need to overcome shortage of equipment and staff at the facility at the earliest.

“The airport’s audit and safety assessment are essential before commercial operations can resume,” he said, adding that he hoped the defence minister would soon announce the complete restoration of commercial flight operations.

The governor said that discussions would be held with South Air authorities regarding flights to Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral.

He added that private airlines would also be encouraged to begin operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Kundi said the proposed Green Field International Airport would be constructed over more than 1,700 acres and would have the capacity to handle over one million passengers annually.

Rejecting proposals to shift the airport to Pezu, Lakki Marwat or Bannu, he maintained that a location near Yarik in Dera Ismail Khan would be more suitable for the entire region.

He announced that work on the dualisation of the N-55 Dera-Paroa Road would begin soon, adding that the tendering process for the project had already been completed.

Commenting on political matters, the governor termed restrictions on wheat “unjust and unconstitutional”.

Regarding constitutional reforms, Mr Kundi stated that no draft of the proposed 28th Amendment had yet surfaced, adding that the Pakistan People’s Party reviewed every constitutional matter before presenting its recommendations.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2026