Government of Pakistan has appointed Flt. Lt. retired Khaqan Murtaza as new Director-General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Khaqan Murtaza is a BS-21 officer currently serving with Sindh Government as Principal Secretary to Governor Sindh. Khaqan Murtaza has previously served as Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation as well. The position of DG CAA was vacant since March 2018.
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3 days ago The attorney general assured the Islamabad High Court that government of Pakistan will be appointing a full time DG CAA within 3 days. And same day the Islamabad High Court declared the giving additional charge of DG CAA to Secretary, Aviation Division was “illegal”. The court order further expects that “on the next date of hearing the learned Attorney General or a law officer authorized by him shall justify giving charge of the office to or appointment of the Secretary, Ministry of Aviation as Director General of the Authority. It, prima facie, appears that the arrangement whereby Secretary, Aviation Division was allowed to officiate or purportedly appointed as the Director General of the Authority was ultra vires the Ordinance of 1982 and thus illegal. This arrangement has continued for more than two years and, therefore, the status of the orders passed during this period also have to be justified, which includes the orders impugned in the instant petition”.
Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court also ordered the government of Pakistan that “it is expected that an eligible competent and well-reputed person will be appointed by the Federal Government as Director-General of the Authority before the next date of hearing, inter alia, having regard to the applicable law, rules and regulations”. The rules clearly say “an officer of proven executive ability with a minimum of 18 years Class I service in any Government Aeronautical organisation or service preferably with experience as pilot in command”.
In January 2014 the federal government dismissed Khaqan Murtaza from his post as Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan and the Ministry of Industries and Production has handed over his services to the Establishment Division. On the directives of then Minister Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, the ministry sent an official letter to the Establishment Division in this regard. In the letter it was written that Khaqan Murtaza has been charged with incompetence, indiscipline, financial embezzlement, supporting corrupt mafia and violating Article 107 of the Articles of Association of Corporation.
PIA is a statement welcomed the appointment of a permanent DG CAA. CEO PIA in a statement said that “the appointment of a permanent chief of the regulator was a long pending demand of the airlines. It will strengthen Pakistan’s aviation industry, said the CEO PIA, and assured that all the airlines are working in harmony with the civil aviation authority to take the aviation industry forward”.
