Changes in Pakistan
Airports Authority Act, 2023 to improve its functioning
The Cabinet Committee on Legislative
Cases has approved amendments to the Pakistan Airports Authority Act, 2023,
aimed at addressing concerns raised by international aviation bodies and
bringing the law in line with global best practices.
The changes broaden eligibility for
the post of Director General of the Pakistan
Airports Authority (PAA) to include private-sector professionals, introduce
conflict-of-interest safeguards and cooling-off periods, and correct drafting
errors in the existing law. The amendments also allow board decisions to be
taken through circulation during emergencies.
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Airports Authority set to go paperless with ERP System
The Pakistan Airports Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, vetted by the Law and Justice Division, will now be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval before being tabled in the National Assembly.
Officials told the committee that
earlier legislation had combined regulatory oversight, service provision and
accident investigation within a single authority — an arrangement criticised by
the International Civil Aviation Organization,
European aviation regulators and the UK Department for Transport.
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ambassador praises modernization efforts of Pakistan Airports Authority
Reforms introduced in 2023 separated these functions, assigning regulatory oversight to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, airport operations to the Pakistan Airports Authority, and accident investigations to an independent bureau. However, officials noted that gaps remained in the Airports Authority Act, prompting the latest amendments.
Source: Profit Pakistan