ZHOB (By Rafiullah Mandokhail/ENNS) Chairman Jamhori Qaumi Movement Haji Sher Hassan Sherani has expressed deep concerns over the suspension of domestic flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from and to Zhob and, closure of its booking office in Zhob.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the chairman said that PIA had suspended the flight operation to Zhob from rest of the country three years ago. Due to flights suspension, thousands of travelers have been facing severe difficulties in traveling inside the country and abroad. JQM demanded the resumption of flight operation soon.
“After the suspension of flight operation, now due to unknown reasons, the PIA has decided to close also its booking office in Zhob, that is an attempt to deprive the poor people from another facility and it will not be tolerated at any cost,” the press release stated that thousands of people from Zhob and neighboring district Sherani are dependent on their businesses in Gulf states, and hundreds of them travel to their destinations on daily basis.
“With the closure of the booking office, passengers will have no option but to travel to the provincial capital Quetta for even a minor issue related to their air tickets.
JQM made appeal to the Chief Minister Balochistan, Governor, Chief Justice Balochistan High Court, Commissioner Zhob Division and PIA high authorities not only to de-notify the decision of relocating the booking office, but also resume domestic flights operation at earliest.
It is to be mentioned that, the historic Zhob airport was constructed with a 6,390 feet runway that links Zhob with the rest of the country. The airport had been used by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) till 2008. However, it is now under the control of Civil Aviation Authority.
