PHC reissues notice to PIA for raising Chitral fare

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday re-issued notice to the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chairman in a writ petition filed against increase in fare from Chitral to Peshawar and cut in number of flights to the district.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Musarrat Hilali re-issued the notice to the PIA chairman as he failed to submit reply to the petition. He was asked to explain why the fare was increased from Rs4, 000 to 7,507 without any reason.
The bench asked the PIA chairman to explain the cut in the number of flights. There used to be three flights daily. Now there is only weekly flight. The petition was filed by Muhammad Aminul Hassan, a resident of Chitral, against the 100 percent increase in the fare and reduction in the number of flights to the district.
During the course of hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer Mumtaz Ahmad, submitted the PIA had increased the fare to Chitral from Rs4, 000 to Rs7, 507 and reduced the number of flights from three flights daily to once a week.
He submitted that despite the fact that Chitral being part of the Malakand division, was tax-free but even then tax was levied. He said it was not only unlawful but also an injustice to the people of this district.
The lawyer informed the bench that throughout the year, particularly in the winter, flights are the only source of travel for the residents of Chitral. He said reduction in the number of flights and high fare had created problems for Chitralis.
He submitted the PIA fares from Peshawar to Karachi for more than one hour travel was Rs7,477 and Rs6,963 for 60 minutes travelling to Gilgit. However, the PIA was charging Rs7,507 for 35 minutes travel to Chitral.
The counsel submitted that the respondents have violated the relevant laws by enhancing the fare and levying of taxes without any lawful authority.The same bench also issued contempt of notice to secretary administration of the KP government for non-compliance with the court’s order about issuance of government residential houses to employees on seniority basis. The division directed the secretary administration to submit reply on affidavit or appear in person and explain why the court orders were violated. The bench also asked the secretary concerned to show the reason why serial No 15 employee on the list was allotted the house and an employee of serial No 1 was ignored.