CAA using BIA's Rawal Lounge due to lack of facilities for chartered aeroplanes at new airport: IHC told      

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Defence on Monday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was still using Rawal Lounge of Benazir International Airport (BIA) due to lack of facilities at the new Islamabad International Airport for a chartered aircraft.

The Deputy Attorney General submitted a written reply on behalf of the ministry to the IHC in a case regarding Imran Khan’s travel from an airbase to perform Umrah. During the previous hearing, the court had sought reply from the Ministry of Defence regarding the use of airbase for a private aircraft.

Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC resumed hearing of the case regarding use of the airbase for the chartered aircraft of Imran Khan and Zulfi Bukhari’s name on the blacklist.     The ministry stated that the CAA had shifted its all flight operations from BIA after opening of the new Islamabad International Airport. But no facilities were available at the new airport for the chartered planes, it added.

It stated that the CAA had taken no permission from the ministry regarding the chartered aircraft.

Meanwhile, NAB's Deputy Prosecutor Sardar Muzafar Abbasi adopted the stance that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had recommended the Ministry of Interior to place Zulfi Bukhari’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

The bench observed that the ministry had not placed the name of Bukhari on the ECL so far but only had blacklisted him.

DAG Raja Khalid adopted the stance that the single member bench could not conduct hearing of the case as the petitioner had nominated the NAB in his plea.     The court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday and granted time to Bukhari to reconsider his petition.