KARACHI, March 20: Civil Aviation Authority has finalized a contingency plan to cope with emergency situation, arising out of the US invasion of Iraq, in handling the return of a heavy number of expatriates from the war region.

Air Vice Marshal Arshad Rashid Sethi, Deputy Director General of CAA, said on Thursday that arrangements had already been made to provide technical facilities, such as housing, parking and fuelling, to the overflying and landing flights. These flights, he said, included those to be diverted to Pakistani airports.

A large number of expatriates, Pakistanis, Indians, Sri Lankans, Nepalese and others, have been leaving Gulf states, especially Iraq’s neighbouring countries.

Mr Sethi, referring to the most modern radar coverage, said that Pakistan would face no problem in handling the air-traffic even at 11th hour. He said that the CAA’s Air Transport Branch would be available for any assistance round-the-clock to ensure swift processing of landing permit to the aircraft seeking emergency landing.—PPI