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Foolproof security plan ready for Karachi’s Jinnah Airport
PM approves induction of more security staff at airport
APPISLAMABAD – Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Secretary Muhammad Ali Gardezi on Tuesday said new foolproof security plan had been prepared for the Jinnah International Airport of Karachi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also released funds of six billion rupees for the new plan, the secretary said during a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat and Capital Administration and Development chaired by Senator Kalsoom Parveen at the Parliament House.
Gardezi said that the prime minister also gave approval for induction of five hundred employees to beef up security at the airport. CAA Director General Air Marshall Muhammad Yousaf clarified that the aviation authority was only responsible for security within the airport premises whereas intelligence agencies, police, rangers and FC had the responsibility to keep security on the roads leading to the airport.
A three-member committee headed by Air Commodore Noor Elahi Bajwa, had been constituted on the instructions of Prime Minister Nawaz for finding facts on the fire incident at Gerry's Dnata Cargo Complex, after the Jinnah Airport was attacked on the night of June 8 and 9, the director general told the committee. The fact-finding committee on fire incident in the complex has concluded in its report that no death occurred in the cold storage of the airport.
He dispelled the impression in media that the deaths had occurred after 24 hours of the incident and that people were trapped in the cold storage. The committee paid tribute to the persons who not only saved the airport but also saved the country from a lot bigger losses and catastrophe. He stated that out of ten, five terrorists were killed while entering the airport whereas five hid themselves and fired.
While briefing, the DG said all passengers in arrival and departure lounges were made comfortable and calmed down by CAA duty staff. He said the passengers struck in the aircraft were also disembarked and made comfortable ensuring that airlines concerned provide refreshments and meals to the passengers. He said it was also noted that the loss would have been much more if the security agencies like ASF, police, rangers and the army would not have played their effective role in time.
The committee chairperson said security should be ensured at all airports in the wake of the incidents at Karachi and Peshawar airports. PIA Managing Director Junaid Younis apprised the committee that PIA was going to start three flights for Islamabad to Quetta whereas four flights for Quetta to Islamabad, to facilitate passengers. He also said that PIA added a new aircraft had been brought on a six year lease from a well known company for $225,000 per month.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk