Ex-CAA DG faces probe over Walton Airport affair

Former Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director general Ft Lt (retd) Khaqan Murtaza is on the radar of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for shutting down Lahore’s Walton Airport and the subsequent use of its land for commercial purposes.

The anti-graft body has launched an investigation into the Walton Airport affair as it plans to question 13 former and incumbent CAA officials, including Murtaza, about the matter.

It has prepared a document containing 13 questions for the ex-CAA DG.

In the questionnaire, NAB has asked the reasons behind the closure of Walton Airport and the decision to use its land for commercial purposes.

According to sources, NAB has also decided to seek the assistance of the Aircraft Owners & Operators Association Pakistan (AOOAP) in the investigation.

It has forwarded the document containing the 13 questions to the association as well.

In May 2021, landings and take-offs at the 103-year-old historic Walton Airport and Flying Club came to an end.

In June that year, the PTI government decided to close down Walton Airport to pave the way for launching the Central Business District project.

In April this year, the AOOAP called for an investigation into the sale of Walton Airport land, claiming that the authorities had flouted rules and regulations in the process.