ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government is all set to clear serious allegations against AHS Air International and renew its licence, after the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) reported that it found nothing negative during the ground probe, sources close to Secretary Aviation told Business Recorder.
AHS Air International (Pvt) Ltd is a company incorporated with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under the Companies Ordinance 1984 with an objective to setup an organization for operations of air cargo and charter services in Pakistan and abroad. The airline was issued Charter Licence (Domestic & International) in 2011 after obtaining NOCs from security agencies i.e. ISI and IB. Thereafter, the licence was renewed on an yearly basis under the then National Aviation Policy(s) and last renewal expired on August 16, 2016.
In November 2015 and March 2016, Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwarded Director General Gulf Civil Aviation Authority (GACAA) / UAE letters, annexing an anonymous complaint leveling certain allegations against M/s AHS, for information / necessary action. GACAA requested to revoke airline’s AOC for violating ICAO annexure.
The allegations, though anonymous were serious in nature, and were conveyed to Directorate General ISI for thorough investigation on January 19, 2017. DG CAA also suspended the licence on March 21, 2017. The Dte Gen ISI on May 4, 2017 intimated that "nothing negative surfaced during the ground probe”.
In November 2019, another reference was made to Dte Gen ISI to confirm if the NOC issued in May 2011 is still valid which was again confirmed on September 18, 2020.
The sources said, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has recommended renewal of the Charter Licence (Domestic and International) and also lifted suspension of licence imposed in 2017. CAA has also confirmed that the renewal has been cleared by the Flight Standards, Airworthiness, Finance and Economic Oversight Directorates/ branches.
The Civil Aviation Division has shared the recommendations of PCAA with the Cabinet and after clearance by Dte Gen ISI, approval has been solicited for regularization of renewal period of Charter Licence Class-II ( domestic and international) from August 17, 2016 to date under National Aviation Policy- 2019.
Subsequent renewal will be considered by the Minister for Aviation as per delegated approved by the Cabinet.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021