Jets practicing for Defence Day face bird-hit risk

Dumping of garbage near Noor Khan Airbase and surrounding areas has been banned to maintain flight safety standards during fighter jets' flypast in the twin cities on the occasion of Pakistan Day Parade on March 23.

According to the sources, the Flight Safety Board, while banning the dumping of garbage at Noor Khan Airbase and adjoining areas, has also requested the citizens to avoid feeding kitchen scraps to the birds as there is a risk of them colliding with warplanes which can cause great damage.

Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has been informed to completely clear heaps of garbage in and around the related area. The corporation has also been advised to implement an alternative system to collect garbage from the areas to prevent birds from gathering.

Moreover, to ensure the safety of fighter jets during the flypast rehearsal and during the main event, an awareness campaign has also been launched regarding the dangers of birds’ collision with jets. For this purpose, pamphlets will be distributed in the houses near Noor Khan Airbase and banners will also be put on main roads. The people who fly pigeons from rooftops will also be banned from doing so.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2021.