MULTAN, May 27th: Almost all railway bridges in the country have outlived their life. Out of a total of 5,000, as many as 289 railway bridges are in a dilapidated condition, threatening the life of passengers but concerned authorities are taking no step to rehabilitate them.Around 5,000 railway bridges exist throughout the country from Peshawar to Karachi. As many as 200 bridges exist only in the Rawalpindi sub-division.Reliable sources in the railways informed that 289 out of a total of 5,000 railway bridges are in a dilapidated condition. Two bridges, 60 and 61, on the Taxila-Havelian section in the Rawalpindi sub-division are in a poor condition and concerned authorities have warned drivers of all trains to pass through these bridges with a speed of 15 kilometres per hour. All trains have to follow the speed limit for safety to the life of passengers. The main Jhelum bridge is also in a poor condition and an accident could happen there anytime, sources said.According to sources, the government had allocated Rs410 million in the budget for rehabilitation work on railway bridges. The rehabilitation work on railway bridges had started in 2008 but only 10 to 15 per cent work has been completed so far, sources said.Pakistan Railways Assistant Executive Engineer Mateen Ahmed Khan, when contacted by ‘The News,’ admitted all facts and figures. He said that they have started rehabilitation work on dilapidated bridges. There are around 5,000 railway bridges from Peshawar to Karachi, including 200 bridges in the Rawalpindi sub-division. Most bridges are in a poor condition, however, several are in better condition, he said. He said that two bridges on the Taxila-Havelian section in the Rawalpindi sub-division, number 60 and 61, are in very poor condition and “we have reduced the speed limit of trains to 15 kilometres per hour on these bridges.Pakistan Railways Divisional Personnel Officer (DPO) Faiz Ahmed Khan told ‘The News’ that almost all bridges have outlived their life. The authorities have started rehabilitation work on 192 bridges from Peshawar to Karachi, he said. He said that the condition of the main Jhelum bridge is very poor and authorities would start rehabilitation work there soon. “Lack of funds is the main hurdle in the way of rehabilitation work in railways,” he said. He said that apart from dilapidated bridges poor condition of engines and coaches is also a major issue.It has learnt that the majority of dilapidated railway bridges exist in the Rawalpindi division. Several bridges, including Mareer Hassan Bridge, Korang Bridge and Taxila Bridge, are without fence on both sides. The bottom of these bridges is almost broken and the authorities have fitted wooden and steel sheets to strengthen them. Not only bridges but also tunnels are in a poor condition.The passengers urged the concerned authorities to start rehabilitation work on bridges to avoid any mishap. Most families travel in trains but due to poor condition of the railway system they are compelled to adopt other means of travel, they said. They said that when trains pass through dilapidated bridges passengers hold their breath in fear.
MULTAN, May 26th:Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani will inaugurate the First phase of Multan airport upgradation on June 19. Chinese Xinjiang Bexien Construction Company today handed over the completion certificate to the Civil Aviation Authority.Whern contacted the Director North of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)said we have very successfully completed the first phase of upgradation of Multan airport and it is expected that Boeing, Jamboo, airbus and wide bodied cargo plane operation would begin from June Ist. Air blue, Emirate airlinesa, Lufthansa and other airlines intended to introduce direct flights from Multan for Dubai, Abudhabi, London, Gulf states and Saudi Arabia.CAA had earmarked Rs. 4.5 billion (US$72.9 million) for the upgradation of Multan Airport as International Status. From the total allocated budget of Rs. 4.5 billion for the project, Rs. 3.5 billion is being spent by CAA from its Annual Development Program Budget (ADB) whereas the remaining amount of Rs 1 billion is being covered by the Government of Pakistan. President of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) Malik Asrar Ahmed Awan has hailed the fulfilment of commitment of upgradation of Multan airport as Internation status by the Government and said that this step would help in promotion of export of mango, citrus, fresh vegetables to Gulf as well as Eauropean Union. Now Wide bodies planes could be landed here easily.He said that It was a long standing dream of Multan Chamber which came true after decades. He said that Not only PIA but other airlines should launch their cargo as well passengers operation for international destinations from Multan. Malik Asrar Ahmed Awan said that Pakistani Mango was being liked by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom but PIA had provided little space for Multani exporters of Mangoes which must be equal to the requirement besides providing other facilities like subsidized freight.It may be recalled that Multan airport was expanded so that wide-bodied aircraft could land and take off for direct international passenger and cargo flights. Runway was extended from 9,000 to 11,000 feet, increasing the width of runway to 150 feet with 25 feet shoulders on each side, thus the runway was upgraded to Category E (Suitable for Boeing 747 aircraft). Other improvements included expansion of terminal buildings in second phase, The first phase, expansion of runway, taxi-way and apron was carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 1.8 billion; while the second phase includes construction of a new terminal building and the allied facilities.It is expected that Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani would inaugurate the first phase in the first week of June 2010.
MULTAN, May 16th: A Karachi bound fligh PK-577 landed at Multan airport at 0615 PM in emergency on Sunday when one engine of ATR plane ceased functioning due to some technical fault developed near Rahimyarkhan.All the passengers remained safe.Passengers told that they were boarded on Karachi bound flight from Multan airport which took off at 0530 PM.After remaining in the air, its pilot suddenly announced that we are landing at Multan airport because some technical fault developed in the plane. An official of PIA told with the condition of anonymity that Pilot should not have taken off when he feld any technical fault in the plane. If he smelt the fault in the air after 45 minutes than he should have to land at the nearest airport and he should not have taken risk on coming back to Multan.Then all the passengers frieghtened and started reciting Kalima. However they landed safely. It was carrying 45 passengers. Nine of them have to catch the Saudi arab bound flight on Monday Morning.Passengers protested on ill-attitudeof PIA's subordinate staff because no PIA officer was available at the port. When contacted the PIA spokesman said that we are trying to send Umra pilgrims to Karachi from Bahawalpur while Karachi passengers would leave for their destination on Monday monrning.
MULTAN, April 2nd:British High Commission Islamabad has increased the fee with effect from April 6, 2010, it is officially stated.According to details, Short term visit visa upto six month single or multiple entry forgeneral visitors, Business visitors, Entertainer visitors, Family visitor Special visitors for marriage/civil partnership, medical treatment,student visitor, prospective student, sports visitor will be issued against the fee of Rs.9,180, Long term visa upto two years Rs.31,050, Long term visit upto five years 56,700, Long term visa upto ten years Rs.82,350 While transit visa fee would be Rs.6,345 for direct airside Transit(DAT) Joining ship or aircraft. Study visa fee will be Rs.26,865, Work visa Rs.93,150 investors or entrepreneurs Rs.93,150, Post study work visa Rs.42,525, spouse/civil parner of a settled person, fiance, fiancee, proposed civil partner of settled person, unmarried, adopted child dependant Rs.86,940 parents, grand parents and other dependent relatives of a settled person Rs.2,26,800.
MULTAN,Feb 23rd:Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has taken strict notice of the negligence rendered by a PIA pilot who took his friend onboard without traveling documents.According to the spokesman of PM House, the Premier has sought from PIA authorities the cause of negligence and irresponsibility.PM said no person should be aboveboard of law and regulations whether he is relative to high officials, statement said.It may be mentioned that a pilot namely Hamid Gardezi took onboard his friend Saleem Zaidi on a PIA’s London-bound flight No: PK787 sans presence of traveling documents and ticket. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) came under fire in the Senate over reported incident of taking a friend on board PIA flight to UK without ticket and boarding card, being a close friend of the pilot.
A pilot of PIA flew his friend along with him while operating a flight to London without ticket and boarding pass, ignoring all formalities and immigration rules, which shown on local and foreign TV channels. Senator Zahid Khan of Awami National party (ANP), speaking on a point of order drubbed the national flag carrier for making fun of the rules and regulations, putting national dignity at stake.
"This is an insult to the whole nation. Nobody is taking notice of the incident as PIA, once considered to be pride of nation is being misused intentionally by a bunch of scrupulous elite class workers of the flag carrier as its management is being run by an ex captain of the airline," he added.
A passenger flew to a foreign country without fulfilling the required legal formalities without boarding card as he was closely knitted to a pilot who was captain of the said flight, he said, adding that what message we want to give to the international community by resorting to such criminal acts. He demanded of the government to initiate an inquiry against the concerned pilot and refer the case to Senate committee on defence. It is a matter of national pride and dignity and should be dealt according to the law, so that no one dare repeat such happenings in future.
The incident took place on Sunday on board PIA flight PK-787 bound for UK, as Syed Salim Zaidi accompanied his pilot friend Hamid Gardezi to UK on the flight he was marshalling without meeting the laid down procedure necessary for a passenger who is leaving for abroad.This is pertinent to note that the concerned pilot, who committed this blunder, is also serving on a high profile post as principal director Airport Services in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on deputation. Salim Zaidi, who was taken to UK by the pilot is not an ordinary guy but a former minister, who is currently serving as member CAA.
It is evident from his titles that he is the member of elite class and could flout the law at his own sweet will. It is interesting to note that when FIA and immigration authorities asked him to meet the legal formalities, he casually replied smilingly that these things will be done on my return.The senators said that such incidents depicts weak managerial system and give boost to corrupt practices as people in the higher echelon of the society do not bother to follow the correct and legal course, creating plethora of problems for an ordinary person.Senator Humayun said that the new management of PIA has no vision to run the affairs of the airline on commercially viable basis as the head belongs to flying squad of the national flag carrier. He said that the airlines has failed to improve its standard despite repeated warning by the government it is going from bad to worse with the each a passing day.Humayun lashed out at PIA chairman Captain Ejaz Haroon (Retd), terming him as most inefficient man. This institution must be privatised so that we could be able to get rid of such unscrupulous persons, he added. Simeen Siddiqui said performance of the airline needs to be reviewed on war footing, else the airline is destined to collapse. Chairman Senate Farooq H Naik directed leader of the house Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari to call the defence minister on Tuesday (today) to brief the house about the incident.
A pilot of PIA flew his friend along with him while operating a flight to London without ticket and boarding pass, ignoring all formalities and immigration rules, which shown on local and foreign TV channels. Senator Zahid Khan of Awami National party (ANP), speaking on a point of order drubbed the national flag carrier for making fun of the rules and regulations, putting national dignity at stake.
"This is an insult to the whole nation. Nobody is taking notice of the incident as PIA, once considered to be pride of nation is being misused intentionally by a bunch of scrupulous elite class workers of the flag carrier as its management is being run by an ex captain of the airline," he added.
A passenger flew to a foreign country without fulfilling the required legal formalities without boarding card as he was closely knitted to a pilot who was captain of the said flight, he said, adding that what message we want to give to the international community by resorting to such criminal acts. He demanded of the government to initiate an inquiry against the concerned pilot and refer the case to Senate committee on defence. It is a matter of national pride and dignity and should be dealt according to the law, so that no one dare repeat such happenings in future.
The incident took place on Sunday on board PIA flight PK-787 bound for UK, as Syed Salim Zaidi accompanied his pilot friend Hamid Gardezi to UK on the flight he was marshalling without meeting the laid down procedure necessary for a passenger who is leaving for abroad.This is pertinent to note that the concerned pilot, who committed this blunder, is also serving on a high profile post as principal director Airport Services in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on deputation. Salim Zaidi, who was taken to UK by the pilot is not an ordinary guy but a former minister, who is currently serving as member CAA.
It is evident from his titles that he is the member of elite class and could flout the law at his own sweet will. It is interesting to note that when FIA and immigration authorities asked him to meet the legal formalities, he casually replied smilingly that these things will be done on my return.The senators said that such incidents depicts weak managerial system and give boost to corrupt practices as people in the higher echelon of the society do not bother to follow the correct and legal course, creating plethora of problems for an ordinary person.Senator Humayun said that the new management of PIA has no vision to run the affairs of the airline on commercially viable basis as the head belongs to flying squad of the national flag carrier. He said that the airlines has failed to improve its standard despite repeated warning by the government it is going from bad to worse with the each a passing day.Humayun lashed out at PIA chairman Captain Ejaz Haroon (Retd), terming him as most inefficient man. This institution must be privatised so that we could be able to get rid of such unscrupulous persons, he added. Simeen Siddiqui said performance of the airline needs to be reviewed on war footing, else the airline is destined to collapse. Chairman Senate Farooq H Naik directed leader of the house Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari to call the defence minister on Tuesday (today) to brief the house about the incident.
MULTAN, Feb 22nd:A pilot of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flew his friend to London without ticket and boarding card bypassing all formalities,It is learnt here on Monday.According to details, the incident happened on Sunday at PIA’s flight PK-787 bound for London.Pilot Hamid Gardezi, also serving as Principal Director Airport Services in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on deputation took his friend Syed Salim Zaidi, a member of CAA and former minister along with him without fulfilling the requirements and immigration formalities.Defying all rules and regulations, Gardezi stunned personnel of the FIA, immigration and the ASF that formalities will be completed later.The flight than departed but soon was forced to land at Karachi airport again after a passenger Azam Khan got heart attack.All the details of the incident have been registered in PIA’s logbook.Captain Hamid declared himself as a close friend of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Salim Zaidi called him as a friend of President Asif Zardari.