Islamabad, The Senate Standing Committee on Defence expressed serious concern over inflated airfares on flights to Quetta and the suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) services to Chitral, urging immediate corrective measures to protect public interest and ensure strategic connectivity.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, was convened to deliberate on a matter of public importance referred by the House regarding excessive airfare to Quetta, as well as to receive a briefing from PIA on its flight operations to and from Chitral. Senators Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Umer Farooq, and Atta-ul-Haq attended the session.
Committee Backs PIA Privatization
The Committee welcomed the recent privatization of PIA, describing it as a necessary step to end years of financial drain on the national exchequer. Chairman Talha Mahmood emphasized that governments are not meant to run commercial enterprises and said privatization would save billions of rupees previously spent on bailout packages.
He expressed optimism that private-sector management and fresh financial injections would allow PIA to operate efficiently and reclaim its former reputation as a leading regional airline.
Chitral Flights Termed Strategic, Not Commercial
Members voiced strong reservations over the discontinuation of PIA flights to Chitral, terming the route “strategic in nature” rather than purely commercial. The Committee was informed that the suspension was due to a shortage of operational aircraft, with only two ATR planes currently serviceable.
Officials assured the Committee that post-privatization priorities include repairing grounded aircraft, particularly ATRs, to restore connectivity to Chitral. The Secretary Defence informed members that recommendations were being submitted to the privatization consortium to revive the route.
He also highlighted proposals to promote tourism in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan through coordination between the Green Tourism initiative and the Ministry of Defence. Plans under consideration include introducing chartered helicopter services and integrating Chitral operations with chartered flights.
The Chairman strongly recommended restoring at least one to two weekly flights to Chitral, stressing that such routes are essential for national integration and security and should not be evaluated solely on profitability.
Quetta Airfare Hike Draws Strong Criticism
The Committee also took up the issue of inflated airfares on flights to Quetta, with members expressing concern over the hardships faced by residents of Balochistan due to excessive ticket prices.
While officials explained that airfares are typically driven by market demand and supply, the Committee rejected unchecked price escalation. On the Committee’s insistence, the Secretary Defence assured that a fare capping mechanism would be developed to curb unreasonable fare hikes.
The Chairman directed that facilitative provisions be incorporated into airline agreements to protect the interests of the people of Balochistan and ensure fair access to air travel.
Airport Services Under Scrutiny
Members also flagged deficiencies in airport protocol services and poor restroom conditions at airports. Authorities assured the Committee that separate protocol counters would be established and existing systems fine-tuned.
The Committee was informed that the Federal Cabinet has approved the outsourcing of airport services at three major airports to improve service quality. The Chairman further directed that the validity of airport entry passes be extended from one year to two years to reduce inconvenience for stakeholders.
Security Briefing Held In-Camera
In addition to civil aviation matters, the Committee received an in-camera briefing on the security situation along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border and on the recently signed Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement. Members appreciated the progress made in defence cooperation and lauded the agreement’s strategic significance.
The Committee also urged the Federal Minister for Defence to attend Standing Committee meetings on a regular basis, underscoring the importance of parliamentary oversight in defence and security affairs.
