ISLAMABAD - Secretary Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Muhammad Ali Gardezi on Tuesday said that new foolproof security plan for Karachi airport had been prepared.
The Prime Minister has also released funds of Rs six billion for the new plan, the Secretary said during meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat and Capital Administration and Development chaired by Kalsoom Parveen at Parliament House.
He said that Prime Minister also gave approval for induction of 500 employees to beef up security at the airport.
Director General CAA Air Marshal Muhammad Yousaf clarified that CAA authority is only responsible for security within the airport premises whereas intelligence agencies, police, Rangers and FC had the responsibility to keep security on the roads leading to the airport.
A three-member committee headed by Air Commodore Noor Elahi Bajwa, had been constituted on the instructions of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for finding facts on the fire incident at Gerry's Dnata Cargo Complex, after Karachi airport was attacked on the night of June 8 and 9, the DG told the committee.
He said that fact-finding committee on fire incident in Gerry's Dnata Cargo Complex has concluded in its report that no death occurred in the cold storage of Karachi Airport. He dispelled the impression in media that the deaths had occurred after 24 hours of the incident and that people were trapped in the cold storage.
The committee paid tributes to the persons who not only saved the airport but also saved the country from a lot bigger losses and catastrophe.
The DG CAA stated that out of 10, five terrorists were killed while entering the airport whereas five hid themselves and fired. While briefing, the DG said all passengers in arrival and departure lounges were calmed down by CAA duty staff.
He said the passengers struck in the aircraft were also disembarked and made comfortable ensuring that airlines concerned provide refreshments and meals to the passengers.
He said it is also noted that the loss would have been much more if the security agencies like ASF, Police, Rangers and Pak Army would not have played their effective role in time.
The Committee Chairperson said security should be ensured at all airports of the country in the wake of the incidents at Karachi and Peshawar airports.
PIA Managing Director Junaid Younis apprised the committee that PIA is going to start three flights from Islamabad to Quetta whereas four flights from Quetta to Islamabad, to facilitate passengers.
He also said that the PIA added a new aircraft that had been brought on a six year lease from a well known company for US $ 225,000 per month.
Airport Security Force Tahir Director General Shah said, "We have made all arrangements for the foolproof security at all the airports in the country and now no terrorist could flee."