‘CAA, Punjab govt struck Walton land deal for security reasons’

ISLAMABAD: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday said that the CAA and Punjab government struck a government-to-government transaction for Walton Airport land during 2020-21 mainly because of security concerns.

According to an official statement issued here on Wednesday stating that a news report was broadcast based on a self-proclaimed organization called the Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) had written to a senior government official. It discussed a fake and baseless story and is a desperate attempt to defame the leadership of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Furthermore, it aims to undermine the mega Central Business District project initiated by the Punjab Government in Lahore, the statement says.

To lend context, there were serious safety concerns regarding the continuation of flight operations from Walton Aerodrome. As a result, it was already proposed to the federal government to relocate the training and other operations to a more appropriate location.

The decision was prompted by the escalating risks posed by aviation activities to the large commercial and residential areas near Walton Aerodrome. In 2020/21, the Punjab Government approached the federal government to acquire the land of Walton Aerodrome for the establishment of the Lahore Central Business District. This was a government-to-government transaction undertaken by both the federal and provincial cabinets in 2021.

Under this, the federal government directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to transfer the land to the Lahore Central Business District Development Authority. Both governments approved this project wherein 52pc ownership is with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and 48pc with the Punjab Government/ Central Business District Development Authority.

It was in these circumstances that the land of the former Walton Aerodrome was transferred to the Central Business District Development Authority of the Punjab.

The Central Business District Development Authority is responsible for the development and execution of the project. On the other hand, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has purchased 480 acres of land in Muridke from the Punjab Government to establish a new General Aviation Aerodrome which is near completion.

The author of the letter/news item is trying to manipulate people into believing his concocted story, with some apparent malafide and malicious motives.

The news report was aired/published without seeking a stance/ version of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority against the well-settled norms of journalism.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority does its best in maintaining and enhancing the civil aviation safety standards, and strives to ensure that all aspects of air travel within Pakistan adhere to the highest safety protocols within the framework of the International Civil Aviation Organization.