News Detail
Event Title: Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-06-08
The Senate Standing Committee on Defence, chaired by Senator Talha Mahmood, met at Parliament House on Monday to consider key matters relating to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), regional air connectivity, aviation safety, and public concerns regarding airfare regulation.
The committee first took up further consideration of “The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Bill, 2026”, which had been referred by the House on May 12, 2026. During the deliberations, officials briefed the committee on the privatization process, associated prerequisites, timelines, and the legal framework governing the transaction.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, representatives of the Privatisation Commission, including Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, and relevant officials informed the committee that the repeal bill was necessary to facilitate the privatization process while ensuring that the PIA name and brand identity would remain intact.
Following detailed consideration, the committee unanimously approved and passed “The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Bill, 2026”.
The committee then reviewed aviation safety, operational preparedness, and regulatory oversight regarding proposed wet lease operations and regional air connectivity, particularly for northern destinations.
Defence Ministry officials informed the committee that operations involving a second aircraft under a wet lease arrangement were under consideration. The Secretary Defence cautioned that the proposed operation involved foreign aircraft and foreign pilots, with aircraft linked to Malta and Italy, raising concerns regarding safety oversight, maintenance monitoring, and regulatory control.
The Secretary Defence informed the committee that Gilgit and Chitral are among the most challenging airstrips in the world and require highly specialised flying expertise. He noted that airlines such as Air Sial had spent nearly a year training pilots before operating on these routes and pointed out that flights to Gilgit are frequently disrupted because of adverse weather conditions.
“Foreign crew is good, but home-field experience is something else,” the Secretary Defence remarked, stressing that northern destinations including Chitral, Skardu and Gilgit require local operational familiarity and route-specific training.
He further stated that Pakistan currently lacks direct oversight of maintenance systems for some foreign-operated aircraft and warned that in the event of any legal complications, accountability and jurisdictional issues could arise.
Chairman Committee Senator Talha Mahmood underscored the sensitivity of northern operations, He further observed that currently only one aircraft regularly operates on the Gilgit route and, in many instances, the service is reduced to almost a single weekly flight. The Secretary Defence said that South Air has to obtain permit to commence their services
“There is only one aircraft which flies to Gilgit and it almost operates as a weekly flight,” Senator Talha Mahmood said, adding that road travel to the region can take as long as 18 hours, highlighting the importance of reliable air connectivity.
Senator Afnan Ullah Khan emphasised the need to facilitate both domestic and foreign investment in aviation and tourism-related sectors.
“We should facilitate foreign and local investors. This is a genuine issue for Chitral, Gilgit and other remote areas. There is already a provision for wet lease operations,” he stated.
Defending the proposal, an Air Vice Marshal advisor to South Air informed the committee that wet lease operations are not inherently unsafe and that the operators under consideration were certified under internationally recognised aviation standards.
“Wet lease operations aren't inherently risky. We haven't brought these crews from Africa. They are IASA-certified and we will be answerable,” he told the committee, adding that he had served 34 years in the Pakistan Air Force and seven years in aviation.
The Air Vice Marshal further argued that historically aviation accidents had involved PIA-operated aircraft and noted that approximately USD 600 million had already been invested in the project under discussion.
Senator Anwar-ul-Haq reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to protecting passengers and consumers.
“We are fighting for consumers. We are sitting here for them, not for you and not for the Ministry of Defence,” he said.
He clarified that the committee was not opposed to investment in Pakistan’s aviation sector, adding, “We are not pushing away your investment or your airline.”
A Joint Secretary informed the committee that licensing procedures in aviation are extensive and generally take years rather than months. He stated that the airline concerned had obtained its licence last year and that its first aircraft appeared around October-November before Eid. He further noted that pilots operating ATR aircraft on routes such as Gwadar, Turbat and Gilgit would require specialised training.
The official added that PIA had historically trained pilots for airlines including Air Sial and Airblue over several years before they commenced operations on challenging domestic sectors.
Supporting the proposal, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan observed that PIA itself had previously operated aircraft acquired through wet lease arrangements and suggested that investment and competition should be encouraged.
“We should encourage them,” he remarked.
The Secretary Defence reiterated that the government welcomed investment but insisted that safety and regulatory compliance could not be compromised.
“We would be the happiest people if investment comes to Pakistan,” he said.
Senator Musadik Malik stressed the importance of uniform regulatory standards and compliance requirements across the aviation industry.
“Standard regulations and compliance should be implemented on everyone,” he said, noting that several aircraft are already operating in Pakistan under wet lease arrangements.
The Secretary Defence acknowledged that wet lease operations are legally permissible but described the present proposal as unique due to the operational environment and oversight considerations.
“Wet lease is allowed, but this one is a bit unique,” he stated, adding that either Malta or Italy should provide sovereign-level guarantees regarding operational accountability.
The Air Vice Marshal informed the committee that the airline sought permission for operations on 11 out of its planned 14 destinations.
Additional Secretary Aviation told the committee that all required documentation, audits and proving flights had been completed and that the project was in its final stage of regulatory processing.
After extensive deliberations, Chairman Committee Senator Talha Mahmood directed the relevant authorities to facilitate approval for operations on 11 destinations while ensuring that pilots receive route-specific training from PIA for flights to Chitral, Skardu and Gilgit.
The committee also took up a Point of Public Importance raised by Senator Kamran Murtaza and Senator Danesh Kumar regarding inflated airfares on flights to Quetta.
During the discussion, members expressed concern over fare regulation, market competition and consumer protection. Senator Afnan Ullah Khan highlighted the impact of limited competition on ticket prices and cited examples of unusually high return fares on Quetta routes.
The Secretary Defence informed the committee that fare distortions generally emerge where adequate regulatory mechanisms and competition are absent.
The committee reiterated the need for effective fare regulation, enhanced competition and improved access to affordable air travel for passengers travelling to underserved regions, particularly Balochistan and northern Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Senator Syedal Khan, Senator Umer Farooq, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Anwar-ul-Haq, Senator Musadik Malik, Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Aviation Division and other relevant stakeholders.