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BAHAWALPUR, Dec 17: The city airport can now also serve Boeings instead of just Fokkers with the construction of a 9,000-foot runway.
The Amir of Dubai provided Rs360 million for the project. He is due here this month for his annual hunting trip to the Cholistan desert.
The runway has been completed in a record period of three months under the supervision of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Quran Khwani was held to mark the completion of project on Monday night. It was attended by officials of the CAA, the PIA and the construction company.
PIA station manager Hidayatullah Khan told this reporter that PIA would be able to operate Boeing flights from Bahawalpur by next June.
He said the contractors were installing lights at the runway to make it possible for planes to land and take off at night. He said construction of a passengers’ lounge and offices will be started during January after the approval of Dubai Amir.
HANGING POSTPONED: Ashiq, Aqeelur Rehman, Amir, Mushtaq and Majid Mahmood have had their hanging postponed for a month after the filing of review petitions with the apex court.
They have been sentenced to death by the ATC in rape and murder cases.
Ashiq and Aqeel were to be hanged at the New Central Jail here on Tuesday. The execution of a sixth convict, Abbas, will be carried out on Dec 19.
POLICE EXCESSES: An NGO chief said he was locked up for a night when he refused to allow some police officials to watch a musical show meant for women and children.
Speaking at a press conference here, Jamshed Karim demanded that SI Shabeer Shah and ASI Aamir be suspended and the ‘false’ case registered against him be withdrawn.
NOMINATIONS OKAYED: The nomination papers of all the 11 candidates contesting the by-election on NA-187 (Bahawalpur-V) were scrutinized and declared valid by the returning officer, ADSJ Mohammad Javed Afzal.
The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is Dec 27.
