20000207

MCCI demands

upgradation

of Multan airport

RECORDER REPORT

MULTAN: Mian Fareed Mughis, President of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has acknowledged the measures taken by present government for the revival of the national economy which will go a long way in restoring the confidence of investors.

He appreciated the industrial package of the government for rehabilitation of sick industry and increase production for export to earn foreign exchange for the country.

He said in a press statement issued here on Sunday that Multan region covers three important divisions with progressing business and industrial community. Our area produces about 80 percent cotton of the country and is playing an important role in economic development of the country. However, due to certain lack of facilities like direct international flights and air cargo terminal, we are unable to play our full role. The MCCI chief drew Chief Executive's attention towards long outstanding issue to upgrade the Multan Airport for operation of wide bodies aircraft and commencement of international flights from here. Unfortunately, the Multan Airport has been completely neglected so far, and there are no direct international flights from here as wide-bodied aircraft cannot land here due to inadequate airstrip.

Thus a large number of people of this area who perform Umra/Haj or travel to Middle Eastern and European countries every year face grave inconvenience.

Exporters of this area too face the same problems. Timely exports of perishable fresh fruits are not possible from here through these fruits are grown in abundance here.

"Our fruit export cargoes are usually delayed due to the lack of sufficient cargo space available in flights originating from other cities. If the Multan airport is upgraded the operation of wide-bodied aircraft from here would not only improve export traffic from this area considerably, but will also be very beneficial and convenient for our people working abroad," he said.

Moreover, the MCCI chief, said, the proposed export processing zone at Multan will further enhance the immediate need to upgrade the Multan Airport. He said the Multan Chamber has been endeavouring for the upgradation of Multan Civil Airport for the last so many years in order to make available the facility of direct international flight to the business community, Hujjaj and exporters of southern Punjab with the Civil Aviation Authority and other concerned government agencies.

The MCCI chief said the Civil Aviation Authority first informed us that the project of upgradation of the Multan Airport is included in Eighth Five-Year plan, after expiry of the period of the plan and on our persistent demand the CAA told us that the project would be completed in 9th Five-Year Plan. The project is still lying where it was, what to talk of 8th and 9th Five-Year Plans, he said.