The 11th meeting
of Directors General of Civil Aviation of the Developing-8 (D-8) Organization
was hosted by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, under Aviation Division in
Islamabad on Monday. The Meeting was inaugurated by Advisor to the Prime
Minister on Aviation, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan. D-8, is a global cooperation
amongst major developing countries which include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia,
Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The objectives of D-8 Forum are
to improve member states’ position in the global economy and enhance the living
standard of its people by creating new opportunities in trade relationship.
The Forum of D-8
on Aviation has been holding regular meetings represented by the Directors
General and Expert Working Group on Civil Aviation to identify and discuss the
technical challenges and business opportunities within D-8 Countries. The
meeting provides an opportunity to Aviation Industry and government authorities
to participate and meet the key-decision makers from the D-8 Countries.
Speaking on the
occasion, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, placed emphasis on fostering sustained,
peaceful and unifying ties amongst all member states, directed towards
improving the economy and the living standard of the people of D-8 countries. Commenting on the theme “Adding Wings to
Economic Growth and Social Uplift in D–8 Countries” he agreed with Director
General of Pakistan Civil Aviation, that it must be put to work, in the benefit
of our people. He said Member states should create synergies to standardize and
harmonize safety regulations in D8 region. There should be enhanced cooperation
among member states for capacity building, he added. He further said that
Emphasis should be given on technical trainings and human capital development.
Member countries should exploit great potential of AVIATION for socioeconomic
growth, he added.
Welcoming the
Director Generals and other participants of the member states, DG Pakistan
Civil Aviation Authority, Air Marshal (R) Asim Suleiman, emphasized on
strengthening the cooperation through coordinated, integrated and allied
collaboration amongst D-8 member states in all spheres of Civil Aviation. He
added it is essential to progress and move forward globally from ‘Developing’
to ‘Developed’ Civil Aviation activities.
He further highlighted joint safety and security, as the key areas where
the forum must play its part.
Secretary General of D-8
organization, Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, in his keynote speech highlighted the
increased role of D-8 countries in improving the economic position of the
member states.
The participants
appreciated the bold initiatives taken by the present Government to ensure
safety of aircraft, facilitation to the travelling passengers and ensuring
their safety and security.
The Meeting also
highlighted CPEC under which several new economic and industrial zones are
being established in various parts of Pakistan. These projects and number of
domestic/ international flights would rise substantially, besides increase in
passenger and cargo services which will consequently give more boosts to the
Civil Aviation sector in our region. The Meeting is also being attended by
Secretary Aviation, Industry Participants from D-8 Countries and CEOs of
Aerospace Industry, Airlines and other major stakeholders in Aviation. The
Meeting will conclude on 28th November, 2017.
While talking to
the media, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Said that Pakistan places emphasis on fostering
relationship with all members of D-8. He shared that we are always committed to
elevate the standards of aviation and it is our foremost priority to upgrade
the human resource development, and to exalt all airports to ensure the safety
measures of passengers. He shed light on various ongoing and future projects
and shared that New Islamabad International Airport-NIIAP is scheduled to be
inaugurated in first quarter of 2018, whereas construction of Gawadar Airport
will be started in March 2018. He said that the expansion of Allama Iqbal
International Airport, and up gradation of Bacha khan Peshawar Airport,
Faisalabad and Quetta International Airport, will also be made in 2018.
He said there has
been complete revamping of the Air Navigation System, up-gradation and
extension of Civil Airports and acquisition of state of the art security
equipment. Radars with enhanced coverage have already been installed along with
ADS-B systems, which shall be completed by mid-2018. Multan International
Airport has been expanded and new boarding bridges have been installed at
JIAP-Karachi. Expansion of AIIAP-Lahore is planned to start next year; however,
BKIAP-Peshawar, Quetta and Faisalabad are in process of up-gradation, he
concluded.
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