LAHORE- Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation, Shujaat Azeem said that investigation report into the Karachi airport tragedy has been completed wherein the airport manager and Gerry’s Dnata management were held responsible for the attack.
It is worth mentioning here that 10 militants armed with automatic weapons, a rocket launcher, suicide vests, and grenades attacked Jinnah International Airport in Karachi in the first week of June wherein 36 people were killed, including all 10 attackers and at least 18 wounded. The militant organisation Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Talking to media at a ceremony held in connection with the inauguration of Haj lounge at Lahore airport, he said it was found during the investigation that there were no contacts between the terrorists and airport management before the attack.
He was of the view that the said report would be publicised shortly. He said that PIA would operate its own planes for Haj operation, and no plane would be taken on lease. He informed that four planes including two B-777 and two B-747 would be used during Haj operation, and in this way airline would be in a position to earn more revenue as compare to previous Haj operations.
He said that PIA counters were being established in Haj lounge where PIA staff would provide maximum help to the pilgrims. He said that on the instruction of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, renovation of Haj lounges at all international airports has been completed. He said that number of airlines counters and immigration counters has been increased to facilitate Haj pilgrims.  Earlier, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf inaugurated new Haj lounge at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
The airport manager and other senior CAA officers were also present on the occasion. The federal minister said that they have upgraded the facilities being provided to the pilgrims. He said that like last year, different teams have been dispatched to Saudi Arabia to facilitate Haj pilgrims. “In Haj scheme, we have tried to provide cheaper packages to the pilgrims and the ministry has also directed private Haj tour operators to provide cheaper packages in this regard,” he added.