CAA chief to be hired ‘in four weeks’

Court says revocation of pilots’ licences could be challenged after appointment of official concerned

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has decided that it would complete the appointment process of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) director general (DG) in four weeks and also informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in this regard.

 During the hearing of CAA DG case by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Additional Attorney General Tariq Khokhar appeared before the court on behalf of the federation.

 Khokhar informed the court that the process of appointment for the CAA DG would be completed in four weeks’ time.

 The IHC CJ remarked that when a matter is sent to the executive, it is resolved and that with the appointment of CAA DG, many issues would be fixed.

 He observed that it was the authority of the CAA DG to cancel the licences of pilots, which in his absence was done by aviation’s secretary.

 The judge noted that the decision of the CAA secretary to revoke the licences of pilots could be challenged and that after the appointment of the DG, the issue should be kept before the official concerned.

 The court adjourned the hearing of the case until October 19.

 Suspended pilot Syed Saqlain Akhtar had filed an application in the IHC challenging the revocation of his licence, dismissal from job and non-appointment of CAA DG.