Senate panel visits Islamabad Airport to inspect the facilities
The Senate Standing Committee on
Defence on Tuesday directed aviation authorities to restore non-operational
domestic air routes — including flights to Gilgit and Dera Ismail Khan — at
least once a week in the national interest. The Committee also instructed
authorities to ensure priority handling and strengthened security arrangements
for Hajj pilgrims.
The directions were issued during an
on-ground inspection of Islamabad
International Airport conducted by the Senate Standing Committee on
Defence, chaired by Senator Talha Mehmood. Senator Maulana Atta ul Haq was also
present.
The visit was part of the
Committee’s oversight mandate to assess infrastructure readiness, passenger
facilitation, operational efficiency and security arrangements at one of the
country’s major international airports.
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During the inspection, detailed briefings were given by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the Airport Manager Islamabad and the Airport Security Force (ASF). The briefings covered airport capacity, passenger complaints, security coordination, and ongoing as well as planned development projects.
Officials informed the Committee
that Islamabad International Airport has the capacity to handle up to nine
million passengers annually, along with cargo operations of up to 100,000
tonnes per year. The Committee was apprised of passenger complaints related to
prayer areas, cleanliness, washrooms and water leakages, and was told that
corrective measures are being implemented. Authorities also assured that
runways and taxiways undergo regular inspections and maintenance to ensure
operational safety.
Passenger facilitation facilities at
the airport include seating for 5,343 passengers, 3,250 baggage trolleys, nine
prayer areas, 90 toilet sets comprising 370 units, 17 baby-changing rooms, two
children’s play areas and six charging stations. Passenger movement is supported
by 26 golf carts and six passenger boarding bridges.
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Security arrangements were also reviewed, with the ASF briefing the Committee on screening systems, access control and inter-agency coordination. The ASF reported recoveries worth Rs10 million in January 2026, seizures amounting to Rs655 billion, recovery of 18 kilograms of gold, and seizure of 1,370 weapons. A major security upgrade, including the installation of 3,000 AI-integrated surveillance cameras, was also highlighted.
The Committee was further briefed on
key development initiatives, including the establishment of general aviation
areas, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and allied facilities by June
2028, construction of the Rainwater Harvesting Kasana Dam by December 2028, and
multiple terminal upgrades planned throughout 2026.
Source: Business Recorder