ISLAMABAD – A three day regional conference on safety standards in Aviationkicked off in Islamabad on Tuesday.
It is 27th meeting of Cooperative Development of Operational Safety andContinuing Airworthiness Program- South Asia (COSCAP-SA).
Addressing the inaugural session, Minister for Privatization and AviationMuhammad Mian Soomro said the conference is testimony of the confidencereposed by regional stakeholders who have come to Pakistan to attend theconference.
He said this is the first such conference on aviation hosted by Pakistan.
He said a new aviation policy is being designed keeping in view therecommendations of national and regional stakeholders.
He said the new policy will ensure safety standards in aviation,facilitation of public and will also focus on logistics. He said the policyis particularly in line with Prime Minister’s vision for promotion oftourism and facilitation of tourists in Pakistan.
The Minister expressed the hope that the conference will not only helpincrease capacity building of aviation division but will also provideuseful measures for further enhancing the safety standards of aviation.
He said concrete steps are being taken for a safe air travel in Pakistan inthe wake of some airplane accidents that occurred during last few years andany further measures proposed in this conference will also be implemented.
Muhammad Mian Soomro said steps are also being taken for improving andreviving the Pakistan International Airlines.
Earlier in his address on the occasion, Chairman COSCAP-South Asia, HussainJaleel said the conference aims at developing air travel security standardsfor efficient air transportation in compliance with the standards ofInternational Civil Aviation Organization.
Delegates belonging to aviation divisions of seven south Asian countriesincluding India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives andNepal are participating in the three day conference.
Later talking to media persons, Minister for Privatization Muhammad MianSoomro said the poor quality of work at New Islamabad International Airportis being inquired into and strict action will be taken against those foundresponsible.
Addressing the Conference, Director General Civil Aviation AuthorityShahrukh Nusrat said we are focusing on strengthening the aviation safetyand security practices, the liberalization of market access, traffic rightsfor our bilateral partners and modernization of airports and aerodromes.