ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet has approved a new civil aviation policy topromote tourism and give boost to aviation industry in the country.
Briefing newsmen about the decisions made in the cabinet meeting, chairedby Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today, Information MinisterChaudhry Fawad Hussain said traveling to the tourist resorts of Pakistanwill be facilitated by reducing expenditures.
The Information Minister said facilities, including reduction in travelingexpenses and cuts in taxes, worth four billion rupees will be offered topromote tourism. He said there will be no tax on domestic aerial travel. Hesaid the cabinet also discussed to start helicopter and 40-seater planesservice to the tourist sites in the country.
The Minister said open sky policy in Pakistan is being withdrawn, andforeigners will no more need to have no objection certificate to move inthe country.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the cabinet decided to review agreements withall international airlines. He said women will be encouraged to becomepilots and Civil Aviation Authority will contribute up to four hundredthousand rupees in fee for the purpose. He said the duration of license ofpilots has been increased to five years.
He said a new visa regime has already been introduced under the PrimeMinister’s visision to promote tourism. He said E-Visa facility is beingprovided to five countries, including the Saudi Arabia, the United ArabEmirates, Turkey, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. He said people fromfifty-eight countries can get visa on arrival, while 170 other countrieswill be given E-visa facility.
The minister said the cabinet decided to lift the ban on high risingbuildings in Islamabad and any builder who wants to construct skyscrapersin the federal cabinet will not have to obtain permission from CDA or CivilAviation Autority.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the cabinet also approved two billion rupeesRamzan package to provide relief to people during the holy month.
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The Information Minister said the cabinet decided to extend Lahore-DelhiBus Service for another five years to facilitate the divided families.
Speaking about Kartarpur Corridor, the Minister informed media persons thatthe corridor will be opened for the Sikh community in November this year totravel to the Kartarpur shrine. He said in order to ensure the requiredarrangements and facilitate the Sikh pilgrims, a new 10-member PakistanGurdawar Parbandhak Committee has been constituted.
Answering a question about opening Sharda Temple corridor in Azad Kashmir,the Minister said we will wait for Indian request about it.
Commenting on the Supreme Court’s decision of granting six-week bail toNawaz Sharif on medical grounds, the Minister said the government respectsthe court decision. The Minister welcomed the court decision of notallowing Nawaz Sharif to go abroad during the bail period. He, however,said that the government will review the matter of placing Nawaz Sharif onexit control list. He said the government has already assured the bestmedical facility to Nawaz Sharif on his demand and satisfaction. TheMinister said the decision of removing Shahbaz Sharif’s from ECL will bechallenged in the High Court.
To a question, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the government is ready to sitwith the opposition on every issue and wants consensus with the oppositionon the issue of military courts. However, it will not compromise on theprocess of accountability as PTI contested election on the anti-corruptionslogan.
