Entry fee at Islamabad airport: JI submits call attention notice in Senate

The matter of collection of Rs 20 per visitor as entry fee to Benazir Bhutto International Airport by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was taken to Upper House of the Parliament, as Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Saturday submitted a call attention notice in Senate Secretariat in this regard.
The call attention notice was submitted by three JI senators including Professor Khurshid Ahmed, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim and Afia Zia under clause 59 of the ruler and procedure of conduct of the Senate of 1988. The senators urged immediate withdrawal of the entry fee in the best public interest and also asked the Chairman Senate to allow the House to hold debate on the matter in its upcoming session.
The notice says that Benazir Bhutto International Airport is an important airport of the country and Pakistani citizens from far-flung areas frequently visit it either to receive or say good-bye to their loved ones.
It further says that the CAA should have made better arrangements for the visitors, but instead, it is unfortunate that for the last some years the 'tax' of Rs 20 per visitor is being charged on each entry, besides charging car parking fee. The contract was awarded to private contractors. The notice also pointed out the inappropriate attitudes of the contractors with the citizens. The senators observed that the imposition of such tax was above understanding, as the masses are already in great trouble due to the unprecedented price hike and rampant unemployment.