Islamabad airport territorial dispute resolved

New Islamabad International Airport's jurisdiction shifted to Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

The issue of designating a fixed territory for the New Islamabad International Airport which actually falls into the jurisdiction of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Atock has been resolved.

New Islamabad International Airport, the first greenfield airport of federal capital, is located within the boundaries of three districts. After the airport became operational, legal issues arose due to the territorial boundaries being spread across three districts. Initially airport terminal building and runway and other construction were temporarily kept within the boundaries of the New Airport Police Station, Attock. However, the case was sent to the Punjab government by the district administration for a permanent solution.

The Punjab Cabinet's Standing Committee on Law and Order then approved a resolution to address the boundary issue. The Home Department sent notifications to Chief Secretary, including the Commissioner and Rawalpindi RPO, Attock DC and DPO and Chief of Police. According to the notification, after the approval of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Law and Order, "the runway, ASF colony, parking area, main terminal and funnel area and up to 3km of its surrounding areas, which includes Murat (Mauza Ganda), Jangal (Mauza Jangal, Kak Chaudhry, Mian Rashida, Chak Phato), Thatti Gujran (Mauza Daulatpur), Kanyal (location Dhok Mian Accha Dikhli Kanyal and Mahlo (Mauza Mahlo, Raman) will all be included as part of the airport.

All these areas previously fell under the jurisdiction of New Airport Police Station, Attock. However, they will now remain under the jurisdiction of Naseerabad Police Station, Rawalpindi. After the approval of the Cabinet Committee, the Governor of Punjab will notify and implement the decision.