Construction of airstrip at Islamkot: GHQ asks CAA to obtain clearance
AFTAB CHANNA
KARACHI (September 27 2009): The General Headquarters (GHQ) has asked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to obtain clearance before initiating construction work to set up an airstrip at Islamkot, district Tharparkar, it is reliably learnt. This was conveyed to the CAA at a meeting of the GHQ and the Ministry of Defence with Sindh government officials, including Secretary Mines and Minerals Ajaz Khan, and Director General Sindh Coal Authority Mumtaz Qureshi, held in the federal capital on Friday.
It may be mentioned here that the GHQ had written a letter to the Sindh government a few days ago, asking it to obtain prior permission regarding establishment of airstrip at Islamkot, which is located within 80 kilometres of the International Border at Tharparkar district, aimed at facilitating foreign investors to reach Thar coalfields.
According to sources, the Sindh government had apprised the officials of the GHQ and the Ministry of Defence that the CAA was requested to provide assistance in the identification and selection of suitable site for the airstrip at Thar coalfields in the year 2003.
After which a joint field survey had been undertaken by the CAA, the Sindh Coal Authority, and the local administration had identified and selected an area falling around villages Shive-Jo-Tar and Bhope-Jo-Tar near Islamkot Town of Tharparkar district, they added.
The Sindh government had approved the location for the airstrip with a total cost of Rs 972.070 million, they said, adding that the Headquarters Engineers 5 Corps, Liaquat Barracks, Karachi also cleared the site through the letter No 60502/General, dated 7th February, 2003.
The officials of the GHQ and the Ministry of Defence were convinced during the meeting and the CAA had been directed to obtain a formal clearance from the General Headquarters before starting development work at Islamkot airstrip, they said. Sources said the project was in the public interest besides having immense national importance, adding that further delay in its execution would lead to great loss to the country.
Secretary Mines and Mineral Department Ajaz Khan told Business Recorder that the Sindh government would only provide funds, while the CAA would be responsible for the project's execution, maintenance of airstrip etc. CAA had been directed to obtain a clearance from the GHQ before the start of development work, he said.
He said the CAA had invited tenders for pre-qualification of contractors and its last date was September 7, 2009 so that the construction work could be started as soon as possible. Islamkot airstrip was a part of providing basic infrastructure at Thar coalfields to facilitate foreign investors, experts and other technical staff, he added.
Source: www.brecorder.com
Ministry nods for Thar Airstrip project
By: Ramzan Chandio | Published: September 27, 2009
KARACHI - The Ministry of Defence has agreed to approve the mega project of construction of Airstrip at Islamkot of Thar area in Sindh near international border with India, officials told The Nation.
Sources said that Defence Ministry earlier had asked the Sindh government to get clearance from the General Headquarters (GHQ) because the proposed project in Thar is located within 80 kilometers of International Border.
The issue came under discussion at high level meeting, held in the chair of Federal Secretary of Defence Ministry at Islamabad on Friday (Sept 25), where GHQ and Defence Ministry agreed to give clearance to the project. The senior officials of Civil Aviation Authority, GHQ, provincial Secretary of Mines and Mineral Department of Sindh government and other officials concerned also participated the meeting.
Provincial Secretary of Mines and Mineral Department of Sindh government Aijaz Ali Khan while talking to The Nation disclosed that in the light of decisions made in the meeting in Defence Ministry, Provincial government modifying the PC-1 of the project, some changes would be made in the scheme.
It may be noted here that the idea of construction of the airstrip at Islamakot in Thar area was aimed at providing easy way to foreign investors to reach Thar Coal Field. However, the proposed airstrip would be enhanced on the pattern of PPL airport in Baluchistan.
Secretary Mines and Mineral Department said that Sindh government will be sponsoring agency, while Civil Aviation Authority will be executing, tendering and supervising agency of the scheme. After getting approval required, the project will be completed within two years, he hoped.
Source: The Nation
