Pakistan

Govt sacks DG CAA for being 'too slow' to complete projects

Reportedly Additional Secretary Aviation Division Amjad Ali Toor has been appointed as the interim DG CAA

Our Correspondent July 02, 2015

CAA statement notes that Muhammad Yousaf is a man of integrity and high moral values. PHOTO: CAA

KARACHI: The government has removed Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Marshal (ret) Muhammad Yousaf, accusing him of not expediting work on projects like construction of the new Islamabad airport in timely manner.

Although a notification regarding his removal came late on Wednesday, it wasn't until Thursday evening that a formal announcement was made in a rather hard-hitting CAA handout.

"A number of development projects like expansion and renovation of Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad and Lahore airports was to be undertaken on fast track as per vision the of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, the work on these projects has not started as yet," it said.

"Other projects like completion of new Islamabad airport and installation of instrument landing system to enable aircraft to land in fog also got inordinately delayed due to failure of top management to take stern action against the non-performing officials."

While it has not been officially communicated, but officials say that Additional Secretary Aviation Division Amjad Ali Toor has been given interim charge as DG CAA.

The statement insisted that DG CAA was replaced to accelerate the pace of work on projects to modernise the aviation industry.

"New Islamabad International Airport requires special attention and dedication to complete the remaining work of infrastructure and equipment installation and make airport operational in 2016."

However, the statement had a soft corner for the ousted DG, noting that "Muhammad Yousaf is a man of integrity and high moral values."

CAA officials close to the developments claimed that Yousaf had to pay the price of not yielding to constant demands from Aviation Advisor Shujaat Azeem.

"Over the months Azeem has taken everything under his own control especially matters related to the new Islamabad airport. His interference has started to test nerves of senior CAA management," an official revealed adding that "He wants to use DG CAA as rubber stamp and any dissenting note is viewed as mutiny."

Another official said Yousaf by nature was an easy-going man who usually did not unnecessarily push his subordinates.

"When it comes to projects involving estate, CAA officers are very careful. They want to do everything by rule book and avoid shortcuts, which might land them in trouble later."

COMMENTS (10)

mandeel | 8 years ago | Reply Good riddance. I hope a responsible and competent professional rather than a retired AM is hired.

MH | 8 years ago | Reply How can an honest person like Air Marshal (R) M Yousuf in Pakistan can do his job well without interference from our corrupt government and Squadron Leader (R) Shujaat Azeem. Shujaat Azeem is the real culprit behind this as he had been trying to take over CAA. Ten years ago he was not able to take over Ufone so he decided to take over CAA… Shujaat Azeem is a gangster/criminal and involved in corruption and destroying our country. Shame on Shujaat Azeem and our PM for removing DG CAA.

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TH | 8 years ago | Reply Shujaat Azeem is the real culprit behind this as he had been trying to take over the CAA authority and run day to day affairs but ran into ethical and honest people who he could not buy. How interesting a crook business man (formerly known as Capt. Shujaat Azeem, not because he ever was a captain in the Air Force but a 3rd rate pilot to the Saudi family and had managed to connect with the Hariri family who once were the money manager for the former Saudi King Khalid. That are his credentials and that is what makes him the "Aviation Advisor". Oh! by the way he sure does have a couple of more things on his resume, he facilitated ........ trade/exchange between the Saudis and the Lebanese, catch my hint what is it that is traded more than anything from Lebanon to Saudia. Comparing the outgoing DG's credentials and track record with Shujaat's would be a insult to the DG. You all are encouraged to find out who led the first f-16 wing in the Air Force and who kept the significant portion of the Air Force alive and operational during the intense 10 years US government sanctions on Pakistan that had stopped any maintenance and repair parts sales. Several books can be written on that cowart activity. If DG Yousuf's had an ounce of treachery or dishonesty as "Capt" Shujaat Azeem and the typical politicians, he would have cashed that opportunity and owned a couple of airlines by now. We will miss you DG but remember, you were too good for the thugs and they did not deserve an honest man like you.

SlowOrHonest | 8 years ago | Reply @GoodGovernanceForum Go and ask anyone in CAA, and you would find out who was establishing merit and who is pursuing his own business interests. @RajaPorus pointed out a fact which is known to everyone in aviation circles. Real problem of this country is that businessmen like Sharifs and Zardaris are at the helm of affairs.

ConcernedPakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Really sad to see this news. How can any honest person in this country do their job well without interference from our corrupt government. Probably in the history of govt jobs no one has been sacked for "project progressing slowly"...actually we don't even sack people who make any progress on projects. There is definitely something much deeper and political involved. I saw DG CAA Yousaf's interview with Aaj tv some time back, I was proud that finally some govt organization is progressing and aiming for the next 15-25 years rather than our gocernments aiming for their own tenure only. God help Pakistan.

Good Governance Forum | 8 years ago | Reply @Raja Porus: There are always political considerations in a political environment. What matters is the merit. Where in Pakistan do we have merit? The blame lies on our civil society. What is our civil society doing to change the environment? We are a nation of talkers, not a nation of doers. We talk a lot on media, especially the social media, and in private and public gatherings. Thats our speciality. Nothing beyond our emotional catharsis of criticizing everybody and every institution and doing nothing to bring a change. Improving governance is the ONLY solution to Pakistan's woes.

BechariAwam | 8 years ago | Reply beloved Canada, rather than US, to be specific.

Raja Porus | 8 years ago | Reply @ AaamAadmi: It is not that simple, not everything in Pakistan is black & white, there is the grey as well. Shujaat Azeem, Aviation Advisor to the PM is also an old business partner of Chaudhry Muneer, who is the father-in-law to-be of Nawaz Sharif's granddaughter, Maryam Nawaz's daughter. Chaudhry Muneer's firm Technical Associates and another company owned by Chaudhry Muneer but with another name are the contractors for New Islamabad Airport. New Islamabad Airport's cost escalation from its original project cost is estimated to be in the range of PKR 50-80 Billion. This cost escalation was approved during this recent PML-N government tenure and after the engagement of Chaudhry Muneer's son with Maryam Nawaz's daughter. The man of integrity Air Marshall Muhammad Yousuf must have been resisting this shady underhand deal of cost escalation at the expense of the Pakistani exchequer. So now you know the real reason why the CAA DG has been unceremoniously removed.

ZAK | 8 years ago | Reply Really the top bureacracy is the reason behinde non completion of projects. The procedures are made to make money and delay projects.

AaamAadmi | 8 years ago | Reply Bureaucracy is the real reason why Pakistan could not progress, firstly they will never do any project that will be in favor of this state but not favoring them, n if anything happens they will try their level best to create hurdles…. Because most of them are so patriotic, after retirement they spend their rest of life in beloved U.S.

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