Meeting of body on Cabinet Secretariat held under chairmanship of Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan

Islamabad, April 25, 2014 (PPI-OT): A meeting of the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was held under the chairmanship of Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, MNA, at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, today, i.e. 25th April, 2014 regarding to discuss the Umara Fares, terms and conditions of Wet and Dry leased Aircrafts, Extension plan of Lahore Airport and performance of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mall.

The Committee members were apprised by the Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mall about its creation and functioning. He said Pakistan Bait-ul-Mall was created in 1992, on the directions of the Honorable Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and presently Bait-ul-Mall have eight different projects such as vocational Dastkari Schools, Women development and empowerment center etc. He added Pakistan Bait-ul-Mall was providing financial assistance in different categories to the public of Pakistan.

The Committee appreciated the efforts made by Managing Director Pakistan Biat-ul-Mall and its management regarding to start child Support program, Pakistan Sweet Homes (Caring Centres for the children between ages 4 to 6 years, whose parents were deceased or unable to care them.) The Committee was informed by MD, PBM about a new project with the name of GREAT HOMES, in order to provide home like environment to the old citizens having no source of survival or accommodation.

The Committee suggested that only well reputed NGOs should involve with Bait-ul-Mall projects, MD PBM assured the committee that PBM will be careful to engage the NGOs in this regard. The Committee was briefed by the Director Marketing PIA about the Umara fares charged by the Pakistan International Airlines with effect from December, 2013, till to date.

He informed the Committee that PIA is the only Airline, presently offering sizable Umara capacity in the market other than limited capacity offered by other Airlines. However the Committee was of the view that the role of middle man should be reduced on the sale of Umara and Hajj tickets.

The Committee was informed that I.T wing of PIA was already working on this issue. The Committee decided to constitute a sub Committee to look after the affairs of Umara and Hajj issues with effect from 13the December, 2013, till date.

The Committee was informed by the Chairman Aviation Division about the features of DRY, WET and DAMP. He said PIA will induct Eleven (11) new Aircrafts in PIA fleet during current year. He added that deficit of PIA for the year of 2013-14, was Eight Billion Rupees, which has been reduced to Two Billion during current year.

It was also told by the Chairman, Aviation Division that an agreement was made in the former Government regime with Transfer World Association (A company of Dubai) was made, however due to its non-transparent features an inquiry Committee was constituted to probe into the matter and the same has been referred to the NAB.

The Committee was briefed by Director General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority regarding proposed extension of Allama Iqbal International Airport. He said that the actual plan for construction of said Airport was curtailed by the previous Government, however, now it has decided to implement on its original plan by the extension of International wings for international air traffic and passengers. He added that 6.5 Billion Rupees will be spent on said extension and PC1 in this regard will be submitted to the concerned authorities for approval in near future.

The following members attended the meeting, Malik Ibrar Ahmad, MNA, Ms. Parveen Masood Bhatti, MNA, Ms. Shahnaz Saleem, MNA, Mrs. Seema Mohiuddin jameeli, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Rehan Hashmi, MNA, Mr. Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, MNA and Syed Ali Raza Abidi besides Senior officers from PIA, Civil Aviation and Bait-ul-Mall.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106