CAA official summoned in airports outsourcing case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought personal appearance of a responsible officer at Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) along with record of outsourcing management control of country’s three major airports.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing a petition filed by Muhammad Ayaz and other employees of the authority challenging outsourcing of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports.Advocate Amir Saeed argued on behalf of the petitioners that Civil Aviation Act did not allow outsourcing or privatisation of the airports for being sensitive premises.

The lawyer said that the airports were used for emergency landing of passenger and Air Force planes during war. He said outsourcing of the airports would amount to risk national security. He prayed to the court to set aside the impugned decision of the federal government and stop outsourcing of the airports. The chief justice observed that the court had the jurisdiction to hear the matter to the extent of Lahore airport. The CJ directed the federal law officer to ensure appearance of a responsible officer from the CAA on May 24 (tomorrow).