Senate panel seeks action on high Quetta air fares

It directed the Ministry of Defence to ensure regular air connectivity to underserved regions. The committee met at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Pakistan Airports Authority, airlines and other relevant departments, briefed the committee. Officials of the Pakistan Meteorological Department also briefed the panel on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (Glof) events, the upcoming monsoon season, flood preparedness and early warning systems. Chairman Senator Talha Mahmood highlighted the challenges posed by climate change and global warming and directed the relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take timely preventive measures to safeguard lives and property. While discussing unusually high airfares on the Quetta route, the committee sought details of the mechanism used to determine fares. The defence minister said airfares were market-driven and that the Ministry of Defence was not the regulatory authority responsible for fare regulation. The committee, however, emphasised that remote and less-developed areas, including Quetta, Gilgit and Chitral, must remain connected through regular air services. The chairman directed that mandatory operations on socio-economic routes be ensured through airline licensing conditions. The minister assured the committee of full cooperation, and the panel sought details of airlines that had been penalised for failing to operate flights to underserved regions. Members also noted frequent cancellations of f