NA panel recommends renaming Islamabad airport as Shaheed Benazir Bhutto international airport

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Aviation, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanding immediate implementation of the National Assembly resolution to rename the Islamabad International Airport as Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

The letter states that this resolution was passed in the National Assembly on October 13, 2022, but despite the resolution being approved by the National Assembly nearly two years ago, no action has been taken to fulfill this directive, causing frustration and disappointment among citizens and elected representatives as well.

The letter states that the resolution was passed as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, who not only served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan but also remains an iconic figure for her sacrifices, leadership, and contributions to the nation. “Renaming the airport in her honour would be a fitting recognition of her remarkable service to Pakistan and her enduring influence on its political, social, and economic landscape,” the latter stated.

The letter further said the resolution remains unimplemented for nearly two years which has led to widespread criticism from various sectors of society, including political leaders, civil society groups, and the public.

Referring to the meeting of the Standing Committee held on November 13, 2024, NA Standing Committee on Aviation Chairman Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar stated in the letter that this matter was also deliberated upon by the Standing Committee on Aviation during its meeting held on 13 November 2024 and the committee unanimously resolved to recommend that a letter be sent to prime minister for the implementation of the aforementioned resolution.

The letter stated, “Given the significance of this issue, the Standing Committee on Aviation urges you (prime minister) to take immediate action to ensure that the renaming of Islamabad International Airport to “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Airport” is implemented without further delay.

The letter further stated that the symbolic importance of this change cannot be overstated, and it would serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in her fight for democracy and justice in Pakistan. “I trust that your leadership and commitment to upholding the will of the people will result in the swift and effective implementation of this resolution,” the NA Standing Committee on Aviation chairman said.