On Tuesday, assurances were given to the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation that no one will lose their job as a result of the outsourcing of the management and operations of the airports in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
Hidayatullah Khan served as the panel’s chairman during its gathering. The committee members received a briefing on each section of the Civil Aviation Bill 2023.
Khawaja Saad Rafique Statement on Airports Outsourcing
Speaking at the event, Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique reaffirmed his pledge that “not a single person will be unemployed” as a result of outsourcing the management and operations of the airports in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
The meeting’s attendees were informed that “terminal operation and apron” were being outsourced but that no strategic assets were being given to anyone.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was also said to be visiting Pakistan soon. According to the minister, September may mark the beginning of UK flights.
The Steering Committee on the Outsourcing of Airports met in the meantime, with Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar serving as chair. He is the Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue.
Federal Minister for Aviation and Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Government Effectiveness Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Secretary Aviation, CEO Public Private Partnership Authority, DG Pakistan CAA, IFC team, government officials and representatives of Civil Aviation Employees Union attended the meeting, said a press release issued.
The representatives of the unions representing civil aviation employees expressed their worries about the outsourcing of airports, particularly with regard to the security of their jobs.
The Cabinet Committee listened to the concerns raised by the workers and reassured them that all issues pertaining to the transition of management services, including job security, had previously been taken into account by the government.
Senator Ishaq Dar, the finance minister, offered his entire support to the workers and reaffirmed that the government would not leave any room for ambiguity in the outsourcing process and that everything would be handled with complete concern for the workers’ futures.
The group of union representatives for all of civil aviation’s employees thanked the finance minister for his assistance and support.
To read our blog on “Govt. starts process for contracting out 3 major airports,” click here.
