Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought reply from the federation of Pakistan on a petition filed against the planned privatisation of the three major airports in the country to international companies.

The two-member division bench of IHC, comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Orangzaib, heard the case on Thursday.

Petitioner’s counsel Hafiz Arfat Ahmad contended that auction for privatisation was going to be conducted on May 24 and asked that the court should issue a stay order.

He added that air space of Pakistan would become unsafe if the airports were handed over to foreign companies.

The petitioner’s counsel further added that after the privatisation of the three major airports, any airplane could freely enter into Pakistani airspace.

Hafiz Arfat Ahmad said that the financial performance report of the CAA for 2015-2016 reflected that it had earned more than Rs 50 billion during the said year.

“Privatisation of three international airports, included the New Islamabad International Airport, the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore and the Jinnah International Airport Karachi, is against the interests and security of Pakistan,” he said.

The Privatisation Commission, the Aviation Division and the Civil Aviation Authority had earlier submitted replies to the court.

The petition was then adjourned.