ISLAMABAD - Minister for Defence Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar has informed the National Assembly that almost six international airlines have suspended their operations to Pakistan airports due to security and commercial reasons.
In a written statement, he told the Lower House that British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa of Germany, Singapore Airlines, Swiss Air and Indian Airlines have suspended their operations due to above-mentioned reasons. However, he stated that presently 25 foreign international airlines have filed their landing schedules for destination in Pakistan during the summer 2011 season and for operating their flights regularly.
He further stated that the Civil Aviation Authority has not suffered any losses due to the suspension of flights by the airlines mentioned above, as commencement of operations by any airline or its enhancement/ reduction in number of frequencies being operated is a continuous feature of any airport. It may also be added that during this period NAS Air of Saudi Arabia, Eriterian Airline and KAM Air of Afghanistan have started their operation to/from Pakistan beside Turkish Airline has also increased their flights from 4 to 7 per week.
About the LNG import, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain in a written statement also informed the House that Liquefied Natural Gas was not being imported at present as LNG infrastructure required to receive LNG was not available. However, he added that steps like fast tract LNG import projects through the private sector at their cost and risk without any government guarantee, gas import project such as Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline projects Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India project (TAPI) under development and enhance indigenous gas production were being taken to manage the shortage of natural gas in the country.
To another question regarding any proposal to import gas from Iran, the minister stated that an agreement has been signed between Interstate Gas System Pvt. Limited from Pakistan side and Natural Iranian Gas Company from Iran side for implementation of the project while first gas flow is expected by the end of December 2014.
Similarly, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Moula Baksh Chandio in his written reply told the National Assembly that NAB has arrested 495 accused from March 2006 to March 2011 out of which 198 accused persons have been convicted, except ex-public holders, during the same period while 620 accused except ex-public office holders have so far been released on bail including accused arrested prior to March, 2006.
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