Millions being wasted on inactive airports of Pakistan
Revelations have surfaced about the
ongoing costs and staffing at ten inactive airports across Pakistan,
highlighting significant inefficiencies. Despite being out of service, these
airports collectively employ 67 staff members, with annual expenses totaling
Rs21,542,176.
Only one of these airports, Sehwan
Sharif, recorded any activity during the 2023-24 fiscal year, operating 18
flights. Ironically, Sehwan Airport has officially been non-operational since
2010, yet still employs 4 staff members and incurred Rs587,088 in expenses in
the last financial year.
Read More Pakistan losing millions due to dormant airports
Other airports with similar issues include:
- Khuzdar Airport,
closed since 2002, still has 8 staff members, costing Rs1,016,328 in FY
2023-24.
- Muzaffarabad Airport,
inactive since 2006, employs 9 staff members and incurred Rs1,646,698 in
expenses.
- Rawalakot Airport,
also closed since 2006, maintains 10 staff members with expenses totaling
Rs1,732,446.
- Bannu Airport,
inactive since 2002, interestingly has no staff and no recorded expenses.
- Parachinar Airport,
shut down since 2002, retains 5 employees, costing Rs812,596 annually.
- Jiwani Airport,
closed since 2004, employs 3 staff and spent Rs445,095 last year.
- Ormara Airport,
inactive since 2010, also has 3 staff members, with expenses of Rs511,223.
- Sibi Airport,
closed since 2010, employs just one official, costing Rs210,760 in
2023-24.
- The most expensive of all is Dera Ismail Khan
Airport, which has been non-operational since 2021 but still employs
24 staff members and 2 officers. The total cost for this airport last year
was Rs5,534,942.
Read More Pakistan to upgrade three airports and construct a new one
These inactive airports continue to drain public resources, raising concerns about the management of resources, accountability, and transparency within Pakistan's aviation sector.
Source: 24 News