MARCH 2021 - 3 I n t e r n a t i o n a l a v i a t i o n
f
New
By Abdul Sattar Azad Phone 34615924 Fax 34615924 Printed by Sardar Sons
4 - MARCH 2021 Vol 28 MARCH 2021 No.06 Pakistan International Airlines expansion plans 2021 06 AirSial creates competition for other Pakistani airlines 07 Serene Air to launch international flights 08 ICAO to partner with IATA and CANSO on new runway safety 08 06 Federal Secretary, Religious Affairs lauds facilities at SIAL 09 IATA: Travellers gaining confidence, time to plan for restart of international aviation with COVID testing 10 Heirs of 20 PIA plane crash victims get compensation of Rs10m each 12 ICAO to conduct safety audit of CAA in July 15 An airport ready for crash-landing 15 Battle of the freightars: airbus vs Boeing 16 The end of Etihad's A380, the residence and first class apartments 17 Experts' team arrives to devise viable model for PIA 19 Why Airblue abandoned its A340-300s? 23 Looking beyond the crisis towards a new era of personalized travel 24 09 Dream of becoming a Pilot: true facts about this work 26 An Exciting Excursion 27 Xpress Aviation, CSS YG Cargo Airlines hosts reception for Cargo Agents in Lahore 29 Uzbekistan offered access to Pakistani ports 30 Efficient and empowered authority urged for CPEC 32 Walking on the well-travelled road 33 Pakistan offers unique, diverse opportunities for tourism: Imran 34 `A heart as big as K2` 36 Changing World Order 38 TO BE FRANK 43 34
MARCH 2021 - 5 Pakistan International Airlines expansion plans 2021
espite the on-going Pakistan, Mr. Ihsan Mustafa Yardakul. The Resumption Domestic Flights pandemic, Pakistan meeting was held to strengthen the As a part of expansion plans, PIA also DInternational Airlines has bilateral ties between the friendly has announced its operations from Rahim revealed its plans to resume some countries. PIA shall be operating a week Yar Khan, Chitral, and Saidu Sharif in domestic and international destinations. frequency thrice to Istanbul from Swat. These routes are a part of Socio- Most of these routes had been closed for Islamabad and Lahore. The schedule has Economic zones, which are supposed to be more than a decade. The national flag not yet been announced. However, we are connected with metropolis cities to enable carrier of Pakistan is optimistic about also not sure on which airport the flights commute opportunities. PIA will be operating them on the ATR42 fleet as the reopening these routes. Since the phasing will resume in Istanbul as two airports are ATR72 fleet is expected to leave the fleet out of Boeing 747s and Airbus A310s, serving the Turkish Capital, i.e., Sabiha very soon. PIA used to operate these routes many routes were forced to shut for either Gökçen and Istanbul Grand International previously with Fokker F-27 aircraft. No loss-making balance sheets or Airport. The flights are expecting to other private carrier has ever flown any unavailability of suitable equipment. resume in May 2021. prop aircraft to these airports. Resumption of flights to Central Asia PIA has announced the resumption of flights to Bishkek in Kyrgystan, Baku in Azerbaijan, and Tashkent in Uzbekistan. All of these routes were previously served by the Boeing 737 fleet a couple of decades ago. The resumption of flights to central Asian countries will contribute to boosting the revenue as a whole for the airline. Still, it will also help in strengthening the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Central Asian countries. This also unlocks the exports' opportunity to reserve their cargo slots for the exports to central Asian countries. The resumption of flights to these destinations will enhance the tourism opportunities by connecting central Asian cities with Pakistan. The central Asian flights are being resumed from Lahore station currently. It is expected that there will at least 2 weekly flights to each destination in above mentioned. Resumption of flights to Istanbul PIA also has announced the resumption of flights to Istanbul. Previously this route was served as a transit hub to some European countries until it was closed for operations. The Federal Minister for Aviation has recently met with the Turkish Ambassador to 6 - MARCH 2021 AirSial creates competition for other AirSial starts Pakistani airlines flights from grooming its worth. AirSial has Sialkot to Karachi taken most of the AirSial has started its flight operations other scheduled from Sialkot to Karachi with effect from carriers from its 26 Feb. 2021. The airlines has initially establishment till now, including started with two flights a week on every Serene Air. For Monday and Fridays. any airline, AirSial had launched its flight transporting cargo operations on 25th December last year in is what makes it Pakistan with daily two flights from generate profit, Karachi to Islamabad and two from and AirSial is Karachi to Lahore, later the airlines ir Sial is Pakistan's newly currently dominating in carrying the increased its frequency from two flight to emerged private airline based transportable goods. Similarly, due to its three flights a day to Islamabad after some Ain Sialkot, the city that the customer-centric and hospitable time. only private airport owns in the country, approach, AirSial is dwelling in its The airlines provides international i.e., Sialkot International Airport Ltd customers' hearts. Furthermore, AirSial standard service to its passengers with (SIAL). It entered the airline industry with introduced quite affording fares, which rationalized fares. It has created healthy a vision to become the pride of Pakistan by competition among other airlines in becoming the region's leading airline. Its Pakistan. AirSial presently operates to mission is to provide a safe, operation- four routes in Pakistan with round 74 efficient, customer-based, technology- flights a week e.i. Karachi, Islamabad, oriented airline that nurtures innovation Lahore, Sialkot. The airlines also has plan and modernism. With this aim, the airline to operate flights from Karachi to started its operations on 25th December Peshawar and other cities in Pakistan. 2020. The fleet of AirSial consists of The career Pakistan's fourth domestic modern A320s aircraft, which are carrying operator currently has a fleet of three A- passengers, mails, and cargo to and from 320 aircrafts. one point to another. Initially, the airline is serving the domestic market by operating considering Pakistan's aviation industry, it scheduled flight between major hubs, compelled other airlines to bring down is apparent that Airblue knows the worth AirSial, presently operates to four routes in their fares. Air Sial is doing praiseworthy of effective marketing practices. That's the Pakistan with round 74 flights a week e.i marketing by collaborating with well- Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Sialkot. reason it has always come up with known brands to attract more audiences exceptional branding methodologies. However, from its satisfactory towards it. services and reliable reputation so far, it is believed that AirSial will soon enter the international market. Airblue and its Serene Air Serene Air is Pakistan's second- largest private airline with its approvals to amazing branding go across the borders on international routes. From starting back in 2017, this strategies low-cost carrier now stands among the travelers' utmost choice to fly with. Formerly, it possessed the fleet of narrow- Astounding Branding Assists in Owning the Skies bodied B737, while recently, it has Airblue had started its domestic inducted a wide-body A330 to cater to its operations back in 2004, and within a span growing and expanding network. Based in of one year, it expanded its wings to Islamabad, Serene Air operates almost 16 international horizons. This quick daily flights to and from seven origins and expansion shows that this operator Pakistan destinations. became popular among the public to such While comparing both of these an extent that it allowed it to fly across the private airlines, it is found that both of borders. Among several other these airlines have their unique and professional attributes, airblue displayed arketing tactics are those the best marketing and branding practices specific business models. However, in the region to achieve its benchmark of AirSial has given Serene Air a tough time. tools that assist any owning the sky. Then, airblue moved Rather it has affected the load carried by all Mbusiness in achieving its towards advanced customers' satisfaction other airlines of the region. AirSial enjoys strategic objectives. Airlines worldwide approaches to survive and sustain its extra perks and leverages. Since Sialkot rely on creative and innovative marketing image in a highly competitive city plays an important role in supporting techniques to create a permanent niche in environment. Additionally, its blue miles the economy of the country. Hence the loyalty reward service enables it to grow at establishment of its own airline is their consumers' minds. While an exponential level.
MARCH 2021 - 07 The foremost branding strategy of Product Quality Leadeship Dominates while it provides premium lounges for airblue includes introducing the concept the Services business customers at its hub. On getting of E-ticketing in Pakistan. Currently, The fare of airblue is almost equal to on-board, it facilitates the economy class airblue is focusing on Product Quality that of PIA, yet it ensures the provision of travelers through 32 leg pitch with normal Leadership to acquire new customers. To what it advertises through its product seats. While for business class, it bestows meet the standardized quality of its quality leadership program. Among leather seats with 38 leg pitch and services, this marketing program requires ground services, it includes an E-ticketing individual LCD screen. For catering to charge a bit higher than its competitors. system to ease the customers. Airblue has services, it has contracted with GATE However, it delivers its promises in the significant contracts with travel agents GOURMET to supply the best onboard form of providing the best tangible and who bring it, customers to its doorstep. It meal. Additionally, it provides hustle-free intangible services. These services often offers discounts on early bookings e-cargo facilities for the transportation of include quality food, comfortable seats, and provides refunds and exchanges on goods. utmost safety, and good word of mouth. tickets. It has flexible payment methods Serene Air to launch international ICAO to partner flights with IATA and progressively depending upon the CANSO on new travel demand of these routes. In this runway safety way, the first phase of international ith the coming into effect operations is this November of its new scheduled to WGlobal Reporting Format accommodate these for Runway Surface Conditions (GRF), two routes as they the International Civil Aviation are well-known for Organization (ICAO) has agreed to their robust partner with the International Air commercial Transport Association (IATA) and the activities. Since Civil Air Navigation Services Serene Air has Organization (CANSO) on a new joint acquired all the GRF training programme. regulatory The new online course has been approvals of specifically designed for air traffic akistan's second-largest starting its operations in UAE and Saudia. Therefore, controllers and aeronautical information private carrier i.e. Serene Air service staff, and will be available for has revealed its plans of it also aims to outspread its Saudi P operations in the near time. enrolment in April of this year on the expanding its operations to serve Serene Air announces business class ICAO Global Aviation Training website. international routes. Owe to this It complements existing courses expansion strategy, Serene Air will “Serene Plus” – Everything you need to know. developed in cooperation with Airports formally begin its international flights Council International (ACI) for airport between Islamabad to Sharjah and Lahore Broadening Horizon Depicts Broad Vision of Serene Air operations staff, and with IATA for flight to Dubai. c r e w s . Expected Schedule for International Flights Islamabad-based Serene Air had Dr Fang Liu, ICAO Secretary General Serene Air is all prepared to started its operation in Pakistan back in 2017. Since then, the airline has earned a emphasized: “Runway safety continues to introduce its new routes between remain aviation's biggest safety challenge, Islamabad and Sharjah on 16th March good reputation in the local market 2021. While the airline is expected to through the provision of advertised representing more than half of all operate between Lahore and Dubai from amenities. Serene Air is currently accidents reported to ICAO for 2nd April 2021. At the initial stages, three facilitating domestic stations of Pakistan commercial operations.” weekly flights will operate for both of the that include Faisalabad, Lahore, Karachi, “We have been collaborating in newly added international destinations. Islamabad, Quetta, and Peshawar. It recent years on numerous initiatives to The airline may increase this frequency operates almost 84 flights a week with the reduce runway safety-related accidents help of its fleet of four Boeing 737-800 and incidents worldwide, and the hard planes and a newly inducted Airbus A330- work undertaken to forge international 200 wide-body aircraft. Serene Air was consensus on the new GRF, in addition to striving hard to bring international this new collaborative training course destinations into its operating strategy for supporting it, should help to deliver a long. However, the wake of the global substantial runway safety performance pandemic affected its plans and compelled improvements,” Dr Liu added. it to face this delay. Anyhow, due to the fast The ICAO GRF will be effective as of delivery of vaccines and getting ease in 4 November 2021, and establishes a new travel restrictions, Serene Air is finally methodology for assessing and reporting going to experience new touchdowns at runway surface conditions to improve Broadening Horizon Depicts Broad Vision of international airports. Serene Air take-off and landing performance.
08 - MARCH 2021 Gulf Air to trial Federal Secretary, Religious Affairs IATA Travel Pass lauds facilities at SIAL
ulf Air joins a growing Chairman SIAL Mian Naeem Javed presenting shield to Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Sardar Ijaz number of carriers to Ahmed Khan, Vice Chairman M. Shaheen Choudhry and CEO SIAL Mr. Amjad Ali Toor also present on the participate in a trial of IATA occasion. G ederal Secretary for Religious management for doing so. He assured the Travel Pass to help pave the way for the re-establishment of global connectivity Affairs and Interfaith SIAL management that he would extend while managing the risks of COVID-19. FHarmony Sardar Ijaz Ahmed all possible support to the airport to make Gulf Air passengers will be able to Khan Jaffer has said that the business it more successful. In a response to a create a 'digital passport' allowing them to community of Sialkot has set an example request from vice chairman for the Saudi match their travel itineraries with the by setting up Sialkot International Airport government to start 'Road to Macca' COVID-19 health requirements of their with their own help. It is seen as a practical facility at Sialkot international Airport for destination country and validate proof of presenting a positive image of the the Hajj operation, the Federal Secretary compliance. During the trial, the service beloved homeland. He was addressing at a said that he would definitely talk to Saudi will be available to Gulf Air's customers function hosted in his honour during his officials in this regard. He assured to do travelling on select routes to and from visit to SIAL. his best to facilitate the people. Bahrain. Chairman SIAL Mian Naeem Javed, On this occasion, Chairman SIAL “Gulf Air is proud to partner with Vice Chairman M. Afzal Shaheen, Chief Mian Naeem Javed thanked Sardar Ijaz IATA to trial IATA Travel Pass to simplify Executive Officer Amjad Ali Toor and Ahmed Khan Jaffer for visiting SIAL and and enhance compliance with COVID-19 Public Relation Manager Abdul Shakoor described the success of Sialkot Airport. health requirements and ensure Mirza were also present on the occasion, Before this the Federal Secretary visited passengers can fly with confidence. IATA the airport terminal and appreciated the Travel Pass acts as a 'digital passport' Federal Secretary Sardar Ijaz Ahmed facilities. enabling travellers to securely and Khan said that due to the proximity of The Chairman SIAL along with Vice effortlessly navigate their travel plans, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to Chairman and CEO presented a SIAL knowing that their verified travel Sialkot, This airport will play an important credential is based on the latest COVID- role in religious tourism. Now the Commemorative Shield to the honourable 19 information, strict data privacy importance of Sialkot International guest. regulations and entry rules for their Airport has increased . The construction of destination,” said Captain Waleed a five star hotel in Sialkot would further AbdulhameedAlAlawi, Gulf Air's Acting add great convenience for Sikh Pilgrims TAAP'S Chairman Chief Executive Officer. and Sikh Pilgrims from all over the world. “We are proud to work with Gulf Air They will benefit from the Sialkot Airport met CEO-PIA to trial IATA Travel Pass. This is an facilities. He further said, that he was very team led by Chairman TAAP important step in enabling international happy to see and hear about Sialkot Mr. Tariq Siraj had a very travel during the pandemic, giving people airport. He added that his ministry has Auseful meeting with the CEO the confidence that they are meeting all played an important role in the success of PIA Air Marshal Arshad Mehmood Malik, COVID-19 entry requirements. IATA the airport by launching Hajj operations to apprise Travel trade issues, who have Travel Pass holds the key to the safe very kindly listen the issues being faced from SIAL. He said that Sialkot Airport restart of the travel and tourism industry, by Travel trade under the current which is an important contributor to the has a unique tradition of providing better circumstances and assured TAAP to Kingdom of Bahrain's economy,” said facilities to the pilgrims at the airport. resolve the issues on priority. Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President SIAL management welcomes each TAAP assures its full cooperation and for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and pilgrim with a garland of flowers on their support to maximize business on PIA Security. return. He thanked the airport through all its member.
MARCH 2021 - 09 IATA: Travellers gaining confidence, time to plan for restart of international aviation with COVID testing September 2020); 72 percent want to travel to see family and friends as soon as possible (improved from 63 percent in September 2020); 81 percent believe that they will be more likely to travel once they are vaccinated; 84 percent said they will not travel if there is a chance of quarantine at destination (largely unchanged from 83 percent in September 2020); 56 percent believe that they will postpone travel until the economy stabilizes (improved from 65 percent in September 2020). There are some headwinds in travel trends. About 84 percent of travellers will not travel if it involves quarantine at destination. And there are still indications that the pick-up in business travel will take time with 62 percent of respondents Passengers in protective overall and masks at Suvarnabhumi Airport going to check-in for repatriation saying they are likely to travel less for flights and waving good bye during COVID-19 outbreak. business even after the virus is contained. That is, however, a significant he International Air Transport respondents reported mental stress and improvement from the 72 percent Association (IATA) missing an important human moment as a recorded in September 2020. Tannounced results from its result of travel restrictions. And over a “People want to get back to travel, but latest poll of recent travellers, revealing third have said that restrictions prevent quarantine is the showstopper. As testing growing confidence in a return to air them from doing business normally. capacity and technology improves and the travel, frustration with current travel “The top priority of everybody at the vaccinated population grows, the restrictions, and acceptance of a travel app moment is staying safe amid the COVID- conditions for removing quarantine to manage health credentials for travel. 19 crisis. But it is important that we map a measures are being created. And this The survey found that: way to being able to re-open borders, points us again towards working with · 88 percent believe that when opening manage risks and enable people to get on governments for a well-planned re- borders, the right balance must be with their lives. That includes the freedom opening as soon as conditions allow,” said struck between managing COVID-19 to travel. It is becoming clear that we will de Juniac. risks and getting the economy going need to learn to live and travel in a world In regards to the IATA Travel Pass, the again; · 85 percent that has COVID-19. Given the health, survey found that: believe that governments should set social and economic costs of travel · 89 percent of respondents COVID-19 targets (such as testing restrictions, airlines should be ready to re- believe that governments need to capacity or vaccine distribution) to connect the world as soon as governments standardise vaccine and testing re-open borders; are able to re-open borders. That's why a certificates; · 84 percent believe that COVID-19 plan with measurable milestones is so · 80 percent are encouraged by the will not disappear, and we need to critical. Without one, how can we be prospect of the IATA Travel Pass App and manage its risks while living and prepared for restart without an would use it as soon as available; travelling normally; unnecessary delay?” said Alexandre de · 78 percent will only use a travel · 68 percent agreed that their quality of Juniac, IATA's director general and CEO. credential app if they have full control life has suffered with travel The survey also found that: over their data. restrictions;· 49 percent 57 percent expect to be traveling Travel health credentials are already believe that air travel restrictions within two months of the pandemic being opening borders to some countries. IATA have gone too far. contained (improved from 49 percent in believes that such a system needs global IATA Director General Alexandre de standards and the highest level of data Juniac (centre) and other IATA officials. security. The survey produced very While there is public support for encouraging data indicating traveller travel restrictions, it is becoming clear that willingness to use a secure mobile phone people are feeling more comfortable with app to manage their travel health managing the risks of COVID-19. People credentials. Four of five people surveyed are also feeling frustrated with the loss of would like to use this technology as soon freedom to travel, with 68 percent of as it becomes available. They also expect respondents indicating their quality of life that travel health credentials (vaccine or is suffering as a result. Travel restrictions test certificates) must comply with global come with health, social and economic standards—a work that is still in progress consequences. Nearly 40 percent of by governments. 10 - MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021 - 11 Rs10m per passenger instead of Rs5m as Heirs of 20 PIA plane crash victims get the maximum limit allowed in the Carriage by Air Act of 2012. compensation of Rs10m each “PIA has also constituted a legal team to facilitate and expedite the process of issuance of succession certificates,” said akistan International Airlines briefed the prime minister twice on the Governor Ismail. “As soon as the heirs claimed on Tuesday Feb. 9 that matters related to the May 22 plane crash submit the succession certificate, they will Pit had paid compensation to the tragedy. get the compensation. I would soon invite families of 20 victims at Rs10 million per In August 2020, the National the heirs of the victims of the plane crash deceased person, and said it was still Insurance Company Limited announced tragedy to Governor House to meet them waiting for succession certificates from that it would pay Rs10m each to the heirs personally.”THAI and THAI Smile to 77 families to complete the process and of 97 passengers killed in the plane. Being bring the chapter to a close. Trial IATA Travel Pass a government company, the NICL has He said that eligible children of the This was stated at a press conference insured every PIA passenger for Rs5m as by PIA chief Arshad Malik with Sindh victims were also being provided jobs in well as the entire fleet of the national PIA and those who had not yet attained the Governor Imran Ismail at Governor carrier. House, where they urged the families of legal age of 18 would get employment in However, the PIA management the national flag carrier when they turn 18. the victims to complete the formalities at persuaded the insurance company to pay their end and offered every legal and possible assistance in that regard. “These 20 families have been paid Rs10m [per] each victim,” said the PIA THAI and THAI Smile to Trial IATA chief. “There are legal and procedural formalities which need to be met even for Travel Pass the legal heirs of the victims. We are offering every possible help to the r. Chansin Treenuchagron, and manage their verified certifications families and our legal teams are available Acting President, Thai for COVID-19 tests or COVID-19 round the clock at their service.” Airways International vaccines. This will be important for Families of 77 others asked to M Public Company Limited governments that are likely to require complete formalities for the payment (THAI), Mrs. Charita Leelayudh, either verified testing or vaccination proof Ninety-seven passengers and crew Chief Executive Officer, THAI Smile as a condition of international travel members of flight PK-8303 from Lahore during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. to Karachi died when the A320 aircraft Airways have signed agreements to pilot the International Air Transport The IATA Travel Pass will be more secure crashed in Model Colony on May 22, and efficient than current paper processes Association (IATA) Travel Pass. 2020 — just a day before Eidul Fitr. Two used to manage health requirements. This passengers, however, miraculously Witnesses were Air Chief Marshal will be important given the potentially survived. Chaiyapruk Didyasarin, THAI Chairman enormous scale of testing or vaccine Besides the 97 dead, three girls on the of the meeting of the Rehabilitation verifications that will need to be securely ground also suffered burn injuries and one Planner, Mr Louis Moser, Area Manager, managed. of them died later at a hospital. PIA said it Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, The trials of IATA Travel Pass by had paid Rs1m to the family of the IATA and members of the management THAI and THAI Smile aim to increase deceased girl and Rs500,000 each to the team of THAI, THAI Smile Airways. two injured girls. passenger confidence to travel, enabling a IATA Travel Pass consists of a mobile Apart from the loss of lives, over a quick recovery for global aviation and the application that helps travelers to store dozen houses on the ground were badly tourism industry around the world. damaged and a number of vehicles parked in the streets of the neighbourhood were completely burnt. Sindh Governor Ismail said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was well aware of the miseries of the heirs of the passengers killed in the PIA plane crash and the federal government was trying its best to resolve the issues of the heirs with the coordination of PIA. “The process of compensation payment has already begun,” he said. “The compensation amount has also been increased from Rs5m to Rs10m for each victim. The compensation is being paid through an insurance company for which a succession certificate is mandatory.” He said that a PIA team had already
12 - MARCH 2021 PIA plans Swat flights to promote tourism
akistan International Airlines A senior Civil Aviation Authority Bhagtanwala, Mianwali, Sehwan Sharif, (PIA) has decided to operate official said some construction work had Mirpurkhas, Talhar and Jacobabad. Pflights to Swat, Skardu and been started at Saidu Sharif Airport which At present, 12 international airports Gilgit with an aim to promote tourism. was now complete. are operating across the country. They are Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat was Meanwhile, out of 44 airports in the Jinnah International Airport Karachi, scaled down due to security reasons in country, 27 are operational, six have been Allama Iqbal International Airport 2004 and would be made operational once scaled down while 11 have been closed. Lahore, Islamabad International Airport the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Among the non-functional airports are the Islamabad, Bacha Khan International upgrades it and makes it operational. Sargodha and Bannu airports, said the Airport Peshawar, Quetta International PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said CAA. Airport, Multan International Airport, the national flag carrier had decided to Sargodha airport does not have any Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Turbat, operate two flights to Saidu Sharif from CAA staff, but it has an operational PAF Gwadar, old Benazir Bhutto International Islamabad on a weekly basis from next base Mushaf. The facility in Bannu was Airport and Sialkot International Airport, month to facilitate tourists. scaled down in 2002 due to commercial which was built privately by the Sialkot He said PIA also planned to operate non-viability of airlines. Chamber of Commerce and Industry. flights between Lahore and Skardu and However, currently there is no The CAA, however, said if the Lahore and Gilgit from next month. proposal under consideration to location was deemed commercially viable The spokesman said the CAA had operationalise it. by the airlines, a scaled-down airport already been informed about PIA's plan to Among the airports that have been could be upgraded or made operational start flight operations to Saidu Sharif and scaled down are the ones in Khuzdar, within 90 days. once the airport was made operational, the Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Bannu, Of the 44 airports located across the airline would announce its flight schedule. Parachinar and Saidu Sharif. The airports country, 12 are handling international Flights from Lahore to Skardu and that have been closed are in Jiwani PN, flights and 15 airports the domestic Gilgit will start next month Ormara, Sibi, Mangla, Kohat, flights. Etihad Airways posts financial Aercap and GE results for full-year 2020 announce in demand as the global crisis deepened tihad Airways has announced over the course of the year. landmark deal its financial and operating The airline's cargo operation, on the Eresults for 2020, recording a contrary, recorded an extremely strong 76% fall in passengers carried throughout performance, with a 66% increase in the year (4.2 million, compared to 17.5 revenue from US$0.7 billion in 2019 to million in 2019) as a result of lower demand and reduced flight capacity US$1.2 billion in 2020, driven by huge caused by the unparalleled global demand for medical supplies such as downturn in commercial aviation. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and As a consequence of the COVID pharmaceuticals, paired with limited pandemic and ensuing flight and travel global airfreight capacity. Cargo yield saw restrictions, total passenger capacity was an improvement of 77%. erCap has confirmed that it reduced by 64% in 2020 to 37.5 billion Operating costs meanwhile has entered into a definitive Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), down decreased by 39% year-on-year, from agreement with General US$5.4 billion in 2019 to US$3.3 billion A from 104 billion in 2019, with the seat load Electric to acquire 100% of GE Capital in 2020, due to a combination of reduced factor declining to 52.9%, 25.8 percentage Aviation Services (GECAS) for a total points lower compared to 2019 (2019: capacity and volume-related expenses, as 78.7%). well as a focus on cost containment value of approximately $30bn. Under the The airline recorded US$1.2 billion initiatives. Overheads reduced by 25% to terms of deal, AerCap will acquire $34bn passenger revenues in 2020, down by 74% US$0.8 billion (2019: US$1.0 billion) in of GECAS net assets, which includes its from US $4.8 billion in 2019, due to fewer this timeframe, despite their fixed nature, aircraft fleet and platform, engine leasing owing to cash and liquidity management scheduled services and drastically fewer business and Milestone helicopter leasing initiatives during the crisis, while the people travelling. A contributing factor to company. AerCap will also take over this was the total suspension of passenger finance cost reduced by 23% through an services into and out of the UAE from end ongoing focus on balance sheet GECAS' orderbook and more than 400 of March until early June 2020 to limit the restructuring. GECAS employees upon completion of spread of COVID, in line with a UAE Overall, this resulted in a core the transaction, which is expected to be in government mandate. More than 80% of operating loss of US$1.70 billion (2019: the fourth quarter of 2021. AerCap will total passengers carried in 2020 were US $0.80 billion) in 2020, with the pay GE $24bn in cash, $1bn in AerCap flown during the first three months of the EBITDA turning to negative US$0.65 year, demonstrating the precipitous drop billion (2019: positive US$0.45 billion). notes and/or cash.
MARCH 2021 -13 14 - MARCH 2021 constituted a separate directorate to ensure ICAO to conduct transparency. An airport ready The official said the CAA had been asked to revamp the licensing system safety audit of before starting issuing new licences, and for crash-landing sought details of measures taken to ensure CAA in July transparency in the system. his is with reference to reports 'PM briefed on TWalton flying club' (Feb 26) PM briefed on and 'Walton airport likely to be shifted' (Jan 26). Removal of historical landmarks Walton flying club by governments is nothing new. The latest rime Minister Imran Khan has milestone to face the wrath is the 90-year- been briefed that it has become old Walton aerodrome in eastern Lahore. Pimperative to shift the flying It was founded in 1930 as the Punjab club operating at Walton airport for Flying Club. After 1947 it became a fine Sources said the team would arrive on July 5 and conduct the safety audit till 15th. training flights as it is now within the training institute for commercial pilots in team of the International thickly populated location of Lahore. Pakistan. But the aerodrome is now being Civil Aviation Organisation The Walton airport has become readied for a crash-landing of its own. A(ICAO) will visit Pakistan to unsafe as already a couple of training Spread over 260 acres, it was also conduct its universal safety oversight planes crashed in Lahore streets. used as a wartime landing strip during audit of the Civil Aviation Authority However, the accidents did not claim any (CAA) in July. World War II. Its historical value was life. further enhanced when Quaid-i-Azam Sources said the team would arrive The PM was chairing a meeting in on July 5 and conduct the safety audit till Mohammad Ali Jinnah landed on this very Islamabad to review progress on the 15th. strip in Lahore for the first time after the establishment of Central Business District The ICAO, a specialised agency of creation of Pakistan. The aerodrome in Lahore and the Ravi riverfront project. the United Nations that works to ensure remained in use for commercial safety in international air transport, The meeting was attended by evaluates the aviation regulator's flight representatives of Naya Pakistan Housing passengers till 1960 when Lahore airport standards and other measures in addition Authority, CAA, RUDA, LDA and chief with a longer runway was completed. to the safety audit. secretary office. Many developers had in their sights The ICAO had conducted an USOAP The PM also expressed his concern this valuable piece of land. The previous CMA (Universal Safety Oversight that a couple of accidents had already government in Punjab had first floated the Auditing Programme Continuous taken place wherein the training planes idea to convert it into a 'business park' with Monitoring Approach) off-site fell in the Lahore streets. foreign investment. The scheme, Mandatory Information Request (MIR) It may, however, be mentioned that from September 13 to October 13 in 2020 however, was never pursued vigorously the flying club at the airport had already and suggested Pakistan Civil Aviation for a variety of reasons. Authority to immediately revamp "pilot moved the Lahore High Court, Now the current government has licensing system" before issuing new challenging its takeover by the taken up the initiative. In the first stage and licences. government and alleged hindrance in its in a late night operation on Feb 14, it lawful business. Several observations came from the removed all the nurseries that had been in ICAO at that time after the Pakistani The meeting was told that after existence since 1992, whether legally or authorities started probe into 262 pilots' getting the land worth billions vacated dubious licences and suspended five CAA from the flying club, a robust economic otherwise, on the land that is owned by the officials after initial investigation and activity could be launched on it. Civil Aviation Authority. referred their cases to the Federal The PM was also briefed about the An Abu Dhabi-based company has Investigation Agency for criminal probe. progress in the establishment of Ravi shown interest in constructing a multi- Initially, the ICAO's audit team had riverfront project with particular focus on storey business hub, while the remaining made 36 observations regarding safety environment. land is expected to be utilised for the Naya and Pakistan's aviation authorities cleared The officials concerned told the 26 out of them. Later the ICAO asked that Pakistan housing scheme. the remaining 10 concerns be addressed prime minister that a 20km road would be There are already numerous high-rise which were technical in nature. constructed from the Motorway for access buildings on the main boulevard in A senior official said the ICAO had to the proposed riverfront project. Gulberg. Adding more such buildings will asked about measures taken by the CAA The PM said the proposed project increase the number of concrete jungles to ensure fool-proof licensing system, would not only fulfill accommodation rather than restoring Lahore to its former needs in Lahore but also offer massive questions put to the candidate in glory as a city of gardens. examination syllabus and how the economic activities. He stressed the Among other things, this is in sharp question papers were prepared. officials concerned should keep him contradiction with the government's stated The Pakistani authorities have now updated about the progress in the revamped the licensing system and establishment of the project. policy of clean and green Pakistan.
MARCH 2021 -15 Battle of the freightars: airbus vs Boeing
aircraft offered aircraft to be produced by 2022, it has the brand new by cargo market all sewn up with the 777F, Airbus, and only 38 767F, and its 737-800 and 767-300 BCF. were ever ordered. Does Airbus have any chance? All 38 have now The problem for Airbus is twofold. been delivered, First, it doesn't have an aircraft in its leaving Airbus with lineup that adequately provides for the a backlog of zero cargo market. Its A330-200F is narrower new orders. than the 777, and cannot accommodate While Airbus two pallets side by side. Even with the is enjoying some improved efficiency of the A330neo, it success with its would struggle to compete economically. passenger to To really challenge Boeing's dominance, it The market of commercial aviation is freighter (P2F) would need to look to one of its larger dominated by two giants. These giants conversions, under a modification aircraft. remain in battle with each other. Airbus program offered by specialist Elbe The Airbus product line up can't and Boeing have dominated the world of Flugzeugwerke (EFW), it's small numbers compete with the capacity of the 777F. passenger aircraft for decades. Their compared to Boeing. The A330-200P2F The A380F was proposed but never positions keep on changing at the top of and -300P2F have seen eight planes developed. It did attract some orders the table for orders and deliveries of new redelivered to airlines already, with slots initially, but issues with production delays jets. of the passenger variant caused potential Boeing has an extended global buyers to cancel the deals. With the A380 supply chain that supports its aircraft production ending this year, there is no operations around the world. With its more hope for this aircraft to ever work as presence almost everywhere, Boeing has a brand new freighter (although some earned a unique position in the minds of airlines have attempted conversions amid commercial travelers. Airbus also has a last year's cargo demand surge). strong presence in almost every nook and The remaining option for Airbus is corner of the world. the A350 Freighter. On paper, it could Boeing is the King of the Air Cargo work, with a higher payload than the A330 Domain filled at EFW through 2022. The A320 and and efficiency improvements. Airbus However, in the freighter market, A321 are also on offer as P2F conversions. discussed an A350F back in 2007 but there is no contest. Boeing lists more than Boeing continues to dominate the wanted to focus on the passenger variants 760 freighter variants ordered by freighter market, so why hasn't Airbus before turning any attention to this project. customers over its history, with 732 done more to challenge its position? About the Future already delivered to customers. That's not Cargo is in the Blood of Boeing including the many combi aircraft sold by Boeing has forever embraced the manufacturer or the hundreds of freighter variants as part of its product passenger planes that have been converted lineup. Just about every type of aircraft to carry cargo. ever developed by Boeing has been either Airbus has not sold a new-built cargo offered as a factory-built freighter or has aircraft for almost six years. The last order been supported for a passenger to freight was recorded in March 2015, with four conversions by the manufacturer. A330-200F ordered up by Turkish The exception to this is the 787 Airlines. The A330-200F is the only cargo Dreamliner, which has never been offered as a cargo aircraft, at least not yet. While this may change in the future, the truth is that Boeing has quite the widespread offering for cargo carriers already, so there is just no need to spend the time and With cargo demand continuing to investment in developing a Dreamliner remain high, there could be an opportunity freighter. Right now, Boeing offers for Airbus in the future with an A350- adequate choices for cargo aircraft and is 1000F. However, with so many widebody further supporting the market with its aircraft taken out of service in 2020, there Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) is an abundance of cheap alternatives for program. Although it is planning to draw a cargo airlines to consider. line under the 747F Program with the last
16 - MARCH 2021 The end of Etihad's A380, the residence and first class apartments
nwelcome news about the pandemic. Etihad A380 came recently, Etihad plans to operate as a mid-sized in an interview published by carrier, building their operations around U smaller twin-engine aircraft, focusing on The National News with Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas. Of their 10 Airbus A380 superjumbos, Mr Douglas said “We have now taken the strategic decision to park the A380s, I'm sure it's very likely that we won't see them operating with Etihad again.” In July 2019, from Abu Dhabi to This is indeed sad as Etihad was one Seoul Incheon - inaugural A380 to of the last major carriers to receive the Incheon (Invited) A380, from Dec 2014 to 2017. Etihad's I feel particularly sad that such a A380 is much younger and arguably fitted luxurious A380 has become a victim of the Etihad A380 First Class out with the best luxury cabins. The COVID-19 pandemic. I still fondly retirement of the Etihad A380 means that remember my first time on Etihad A380. It two of the most sought-after premium was also the first time I made a vlog that cabins in the skies, The Residence and got over 20 million views! First Class Apartment, are now Etihad A380 First Class is also disappearing. arguably the best First Class out there. With just 9 suites all with a separate seat and bed. The middle suite can also be converted into a double bed, Etihad A380 First Class making for a double suite style the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as the experience. Best "backbone" of their fleet. At the end of of all, Etihad 2020, the airline was operating flights to offered some 50 passenger and seven cargo destinations great redemption from Abu Dhabi, representing opportunities for approximately 35% of their pre-Covid frequent flyers. capacity. E t i h a d ' s “It's one of those where you segment A380 is the only how you fight your way through 2021- A380 apart from 2022 and we'd do that with the 787s Emirates that predominantly” Etihad CEO Tony offers onboard Douglas said. shower in the The chief executive also said that Residence and besides their 40 B787 Dreamliners, Etihad E t i h a d A3 8 0 i n Ab u D h a b i First Class. will also deploy 12 Airbus A350s from I flew the Etihad A380 in The Etihad's A380 operated to London 2023. Some of their A350's are currently. Heathrow, Paris, Sydney, New York JFK still parked. Residence a total of three times. There is and Seoul Incheon before COVID no other product in a commercial airline like it. It has a three room (living room, bedroom and bathroom) concept allowing up to two persons to travel inside. In Dec 2016, from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai (paid $3,000) In July 2017, from Abu Dhabi to Paris - inaugural A380 to Paris (paid $7,000) Etihad A380 Lounge
First Class Apartment on Etihad
MARCH 2021 -17
Etihad A380 Lounge 18 - MARCH 2021 Experts' team arrives to devise viable Man faces jail and model for PIA $250,000 fine over delegation of foreign experts Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority unruly behavior is arriving in Pakistan on the had granted special permission for Ainvitation of Adviser to the inbound travel to the foreign experts from onboard Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms the United Kingdom, South Africa and and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain to work Portugal on the request of the PIA on a five-year corporate business plan for administration. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The delegation will be travelling The four-member team will stay in onboard Turkish Airlines flight as per the Pakistan for 12 days during which it will travel itinerary. However, this approval undertake a business model review and was subject to PCR testing, mandatory also meet government officials at the quarantine and other stipulations as finance ministry, Dr Hussain, senior specified by the health authorities upon government officials and the airline's arrival. chief executive officer, Arshad Malik. 24-year-old resident of the Pakistan has restricted the entry of United States might be sent to The airline's spokesman, Abdullah inbound passengers from countries jail and get a possible Hafeez, confirmed that the team would be categorised C in the wake of the A $250,000 fine for unruly behavior reaching Pakistan recently. coronavirus pandemic. onboard the Alaska Airlines flight. The experts, who have an extensive The resident of Colorado state was consultancy experience, will devise a Emirates boosts accused of disrupting the Alaska Airlines business plan for the airline to make it flight. The incident occurred on the profitable and sustainable. services to Maldives regular Alaska Airlines route from Seattle “We will be following the (SEA) to Denver (DEN) on March 9, government's directives on restructuring and Seychelles ahead 2021. During the flight, a passenger and reforms in the airline,” the spokesman informed the cabin crew about the man said. Dr Hussain is supervising the of Easter Break urinating in his seat. The conflict appeared reforms underway in PIA and in this when the flight attendant repeatedly asked context consultants had been invited to mirates has announced it will the reportedly drunk passenger to put his advice on the restructuring plan for the increase services to popular mask on, as it is required by the Federal national carrier. holiday destinations, Maldives Aviation Administration, but the In November 2019, PIA had sought E and Seychelles, ahead of the Easter break. passenger rejected the flight attendant's services of a reputed international firm Starting 28 March, the airline will offer request. with extensive aviation consulting customers 28 weekly flights to Male, and Alaska Airlines puts its first Boeing experience to prepare a five-year seven weekly flights to Mahe. The added 737 MAX into service corporate business plan through a tender. services will meet market demand and For the first time, Alaska Airlines The objective was to make the PIA a offer customers greater flexibility, choice deployed a Boeing 737 MAX 9 from its leading international airline and enable it and connectivity while planning their base in Seattle to airports in California. to play an important role in Pakistan's travels this Easter holiday. The unruly passenger was accused of economy. Fly better with Emirates to Maldives standing up and urinating the cabin while The plan will include all proposed Emirates currently offers customers interfering with the crew. After the plane initiatives and strategies for 24 weekly flights to the Maldives, utilizing landed at DEN airport, the passenger was organisational and financial restructuring a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Starting arrested by the FBI. The man told the within the relevant timelines. It will also from March 28 until April 18, 2021, the police that he had several beers and shots provide a detailed forecast of the financial airline will ramp up services to 28 flights a before the flight, but after the boarding, he position, performance and cash flows week – offering customers enhanced fell asleep on the jet and woke up being under different possible/recommended connectivity to the popular Indian Ocean yelled at by the cabin crew to stop scenarios. It will focus on destination, via Dubai. urinating. The man claimed to have no recommendations to revise capital recollection of hitting the flight attendant. structure and provide a viable working Pseudo air traffic controller arrested plan for raising future funding after faking radio orders to aircraft requirements. A pseud-air traffic controller was The proposed plan will also give a arrested in Germany after multiple illegal holistic view of PIA's current competitive radio contacts with passenger and cargo position in the industry, with focus on its aircraft crew. sales and marketing strategy for each region, route and destination. The U.S. District Court in Denver All travelers to the Maldives, released the man on a $10,000 bond, Restructuring options will also be meanwhile, the next court appearance was suggested, and the experts will advise on excluding Maldives citizens, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, scheduled for March 26, 2021. For the the best possible strategy for each area of disturbance during the flight and the airline. The PIA will support the conducted within 96 hours prior to departure. Travellers are also requested to interfering with cabin crew the unruly consultant by providing available passenger may face a maximum term of 20 operational and/or financial information complete the online Immigration and Health self-declaration form within 24 years in jail and a possible fine of required for the development of the $250,000. corporate business plan. hours prior to arrival. MARCH 2021 - 19 20 - MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021 - 21 22 - MARCH 2021 provide ample maintenance to these wide- Why Airblue abandoned its A340- bodied birds. In addition to it, possession of only two A340s ensured the 300s? unavailability of spare parts in any malfunction. Moreover, the routes to for the airline. The prevalence of technical Manchester proved too costly to continue. issues in these planes right after two years Hence, with an overall reduction in the of acquisition compelled the airline to demand for A340 worldwide, airblue also retire them. Furthermore, airblue considered retiring them. Therefore, the possesses a single kind of narrow-bodied airline closed its operations in the UK, and fleet. Therefore it became hard for it to with this closure, it retired the A340s. Dubai cuts processing times for dangerous shipments ir Cargo Newsdesk, air including training, security and incident irblue is Pakistan's largest transport safety, aircraft, reporting, along with a range of private carrier operating on Aairlines, business news, limitations regarding forbidden and Aboth domestic and compliance, dangerous Goods. hidden goods. These include storage and international routes. With its transport quantities; transport by post; establishment in 2003, the airline started transport by passengers or crew; the its flight operations in 2004 with a fleet of classification for explosives, gases, Airbus A320. Within the first year of its flammable, toxic, oxidising, radioactive launch, airblue earned adequate and corrosive products; as well as packing popularity to tough competition to the instructions and packaging specifications national flag carrier, i.e., PIA. Therefore, and documentation such as the shipper's upon getting a lucrative response from the declaration, airwaybill and other handling market, it extended its operations to requirements. international borders in 2005. The Nabil Sultan, divisional senior vice- progressive growth of this private-owned president of cargo at Emirates, stresses: airline encouraged it to launch its long- EMIRATES SkyCargo and the Dubai “We are stepping up our cooperation with haul flight to Manchester in 2007 with the Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) have the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority for the help of A321. agreed a memorandum of understanding coordination of information sharing and Induction of A340-300s in its fleet which will streamline the cumbersome best practices around the transport of In June 2012, airblue inducted two processes involved in the transportation dangerous goods.” leased A340-300s to cater to its growing of dangerous goods, at the same time Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, and expanding domestic and reducing wait-times and making it easier Dubai's executive director of aviation international routes. This airline decided and quicker for customers to obtain no- security and the accident investigation to operate these 4-engined aircraft for its objection certificates. sector, reveals that the DCAA has issued Lahore-Manchester and Islamabad- Under the terms of the agreement the more than 26,090 No Objection Manchester routes. Due to the features two entities will now work closer together Certificates (NOCs) through its system like crew commonality of A340 with that to strengthen mechanisms to “pro- between 2018 and 2020 and is therefore actively share information on certain of A320, airblue found this pair the particularly pleased with this close classes of dangerous goods” booked for perfect match for its direct flights to cooperation with Emirates SkyCargo. transportation on the freight division of Manchester. The airline also planned to “This will link the Dubai Civil configure 328 seats of the planes in an all- Emirates' fleet through Dubai. Aviation Authority system with that of economy layout to facilitate every class It complements the information Emirates SkyCargo and will contribute to with the best services on board. During already required in Dangerous Goods their reign, these twins served different Declaration submissions to the DCAA in streamlining the processes for the Middle East routes, two destinations of accordance with the International Air transport of dangerous goods, making it the UK, including Manchester and Transport Association's (IATA) easier for customers, including airfreight Birmingham. Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA agents, to obtain an NOC. Retiring of A340-300s from the fleet DGR). Every day, airlines, freight “The memorandum of understanding Airblue had acquired both of these forwarders, ground handlers and shippers ensures safety and a high degree of quality jets from Los Angeles-based rely on the IATA DGR documentation to in the field for the transportation of International Lease Finance Corporation ensure that theur dangerous goods are dangerous goods, which serves various (ILFC). Despite hoping for far transported safety and efficiently. fields of work globally, as Dubai destinations with these A340s, these fuel IATA's regulations cover the shipper represents a strategic location and a inhaling aircraft did not prove beneficial and the operator's responsibilities logistical centre for air freight”, he adds.
MARCH 2021 - 23 Looking beyond the crisis towards a new era of personalized travel across all relevant channels, eathering many crises over customers are positioned to deliver the decades, travel has tailored personalization to travelers that Walways proved resilient, should drive higher conversion rates and and the industry now has the opportunity build traveler loyalty. to come out of the COVID-19 crisis stronger. Technology will play a major The first solution powered by this role in facilitating recovery, ushering in a capability is the Smart Retail Engine: new era of personalised travel that will employing a data-driven, AI-supported present more opportunities for businesses test-and-learn approach, it allows Sabre's and a better experience for travellers. In a customers to deliver personalized, conversation with Lea Jordan at ITB dynamically priced offers to their Berlin, Sabre CEO Sean Menke outlined customers. how he set up Sabre to enable change The second initiative concerns the beyond the pandemic. future of distribution. Sabre wants to 2020 was game-changing – it enable airlines to distribute personalized presented the greatest challenge ever offers through its GDS marketplace and faced in the travel industry, with global air through their direct channels. The Company is actively engaged with leading and hotel bookings down more than in any over the last year. Consumer previous year. As a leading technology airlines to develop sustainable models that expectations are continuing to evolve work for airlines, agencies, Sabre, and provider to the global travel industry, based on the ever-changing situation and Sabre has had a front row seat, with insight ultimately, the traveler. Forward-thinking the demand for tools and capabilities in agreements with Southwest or Lufthansa into global trends and data as events areas such as self-service has grown unfolded. Group are an example of this approach. significantly. With the third initiative Sabre focuses on As the impact of the COVID-19 virus The demand for personalization also the low-cost carrier market – working to spread, Sabre took quick and decisive continues to increase. Consumers expect create more ways for LCCs to retail and actions to improve its resilience, taking that retailers personalize offerings around distribute content. With their relatively measures such as reducing fixed costs, them as individuals. They demand choice lean cost structure and their reliance on raising additional liquidity, and when developing their journey and this domestic and intra-regional routes, LCCs introducing a flexible “work from greatly influences the way in which they are recovering faster from the crisis, anywhere” program. These actions shop and compare offer. Sabre wants to making this initiative especially allowed the team to focus on the day-to- enable intelligent retailing by providing important. day business in 2021 and 2022. the technology that allows its customers to With the fourth priority Sabre wants “We also had to focus on our create unique, relevant and appealing to strengthen its hospitality IT solutions customers – many of them around the offers and distribute them through portfolio by growing our CRS business world were facing the headwinds that we multiple channels. and adding full-service capabilities to our were dealing with and we needed to help Menke highlighted that whilst property management system. them work through what was taking revenue generation and cost efficiency Finally, Sabre is continuing its tech place,” said Menke. “While we are still remain important to customers, they are managing through the crisis, there is a transformation. Here again the also focused on the brand promise that partnership with Google is very important. group of us at Sabre that is very focused on they put out in creating and delivering our evolution beyond COVID-19. We those unique offers. Providing guests with “Long term we believe that travel believe that the initiatives we have been a transparent, trustworthy, seamless, and will continue to be a growth industry,” able to set up through 2020 and are enjoyable experience is key. concluded Menke. “Over the last 50 years there have only been six calendar years in continuing to work on now will enable us Key focus areas to help the industry to reshape travel in the years and decades which global passenger volume declined, to overcome the crisis and the maximum decline was less than to come.” Early last year Sabre introduced a set Despite the headwinds of 2020, two percent – even factoring in previous of strategic initiatives to set the Company obstacles to growth like the 9/11 attacks, Sabre recorded some major achievements. up for success. Despite the dramatically The Company advanced its technology SARS or the 2008 financial collapse. “ different market environment, these “While no one can predict exactly transformation and modernization which priorities haven't changed. They are still included the continuing migration of its what future travel will look like, essential for allowing Sabre to shape how especially on the other side of this technology to Google Cloud. On the people experience travel in the future and hospitality IT side, the Company signed pandemic, I am certain that travel will help the industry overcome the crisis. rebound. We are committed to our vision key commercial wins and renewals in The first initiative is around the 2020 with major players like All-Inclusive to create a new market for personalized consumer demand for a personalized travel by 2025 and intend to deliver on that by Marriott and Louvre Hotels. Sabre also experience, focusing on IT capabilities, extended distribution agreements with vision by continuing to focus on our own processes and intelligence to enable tech transformation and on developing some of its largest airline customers, intelligent retailing. among them Southwest Airlines and and delivering flexible, differentiated Lufthansa Group. A key element of this is Sabre's long- products that help our customers drive term partnership with Google. The first The evolution of consumer demands revenue and yield.” result of this collaboration was Sabre This piece is based on Sabre CEO We are operating in a highly Travel AI, which leverages AI and digitalized world and that has only Sean Menke's interview at ITB Berlin machine learning tools to analyze and 2021 accelerated with the events that unfolded predict consumer behaviors. By
24 - MARCH 2021 checks and safety procedures require no Two of China's major PIA plans of more demand PIA to stop over at Manchester for further security grants. airlines go live with reviving direct Hence PIA is planning zealously to operate this route as removing the third Sabre's industry- New York flights point will make this route economically viable. leading technology Unstable Present May Distort Future Plans of PIA leading software and This brainchild of resuming flights to technology provider that Apowers the global travel New York gives rise to different questions. industry, recently announced the For instance, would PIA be able to implementation of Sabre's Recovery eradicate its notorious image of getting Manager Operations solution for China's banned from Europe after its recent crash national flag carrier Air China as well as China Eastern Airlines, to enhance their in May 2020? Would the US Transport operational recovery capability and future Security Administration allow to resume growth. n 2019, PIA disclosed its avid these flights after getting banned from Air China and China Eastern are both plans to resume direct flights Europe as well? Even on getting approval now using Sabre's market-leading from Islamabad International Recovery Manager Operations solution to I grants, would PIA be able to conduct these identify operational issues across their Airport and New York. Superficially, it flights with its old B777 fleet on beneficial extensive domestic and international seems like the national carrier aims to add terms? If PIA satisfies travelers' safety- networks which will help to further prestige to its country by flying on one of related concerns and strategy of business increase the footprint of Sabre's advanced the most desirable routes. But in fact, this decision support solutions in China's expansion, this dream will reach its marketplace. plan is a tool to get PIA out of the destination. Recovery Manager Operations will consistent loss by making money through empower the airlines to manage flight flying this lucrative route. In the past, the disruptions by proposing immediate US Transportation Security PIA begins VSS contingency and recovery plans, while minimizing downline impact, improving Administration (TSA) banned PIA flights operational performance, maximizing due to the lack of sufficient security and payments staff productivity and, ultimately, safety management systems. That's the akistan International Airlines boosting customer satisfaction. reason PIA used to have a stopover at (PIA) has started paying dues “Adding Recovery Manager Manchester for passengers rescreening Pto its employees who have Operations to their technological arsenal opted for Voluntary Separation Scheme before entering the US. The involvement heralds a new era in disruption (VSS) and made full payments to more management for Air China and China of the third point made this route quite than 100 such workers on Wednesday 10 Eastern, and we're thrilled to support both unviable to operate. March. carriers in intelligent, informed and During the pandemic, PIA did operate intuitive decision-making when the PIA's spokesman Abdullah Hafeez unexpected happens,” said Rakesh a one-off direct flight from Islamabad to said that the airline's chief financial officer Narayanan, Vice President, Regional Newark. A Boeing 777-200LR operated Khalilullah Sheikh distributed cheques General Manager, Asia Pacific, Travel this direct flight. This was the first time among the ex-employees at a ceremony Solutions Airline Sales. “Both will be able that a PIA airliner landed on US soil held at the PIA head office. to better recover from disruptive PIA introduced the VSS after the situations at the lowest cost, adjusting originating directly from Pakistan. Pakistan International Airlines federal government's approval, which flight and crew schedules to minimize benefited about 2,000 employees. The schedule interruptions while taking pan- Boeing 777 landing at Neward finance ministry allocated Rs9.6 billion operations constraints into consideration International. VariableCraft Photography and making the most of every seat. for the purpose during the current took the picture. “The Chinese travel market has been financial year. showing strong signs of recovery for some Establishment of Islamabad PIA Chief Executive Officer Air time now, particularly in the domestic International Airport Electrified this Plan Marshal Arshad Malik thanked the sector, and the adoption of our industry- Now, PIA is confident in its safe and Ministry of Aviation and Accountant leading solution will support this secure execution of flights after the General of Pakistan for the payments. momentum by helping the carriers to establishment of New Islamabad Following the release of the funds, recover more quickly from any large or International Airport. Therefore, it hopes the PIA management said it would small-scale disruption, whether it is complete the process of payments to the caused by Covid-19 or any other factor,” to revive successful non-stop flights to added Mr Narayanan. “Together with our employees who had opted for VSS within New York as Islamabad International the next few weeks. innovative airline partners, we remain Airport is extensively equipped with fully committed to supporting the rapid About 2,000 PIA employees had recovery and growth of the tourism security gadgets and safety procedures. availed the VSS offer before its expiry on industry in China and worldwide.” Such universally standardized security Dec 31, 2020.
MARCH 2021 - 25 Dream of becoming a Pilot: true facts Women in Aviation tarting on International about this work Women's Day, March 8, 2021, SAeroTime dedicated a week to eing a pilot is a dream of no secret. The startup salary might be a bit celebrating women in aviation, their many – the allure of soaring low, but as you move up, especially if you impact & achievements: in the past, through the skies with switch to long hauls, you will earn up to present, and looking forward to the future. B The more we focused on this important nothing but clouds and sunshine for $200,000 per year – the bigger the aircraft, company. Being a pilot is a rewarding the bigger your pay. work, the more we realised there was still more to be done and that one week is career. Still, like most professions, there Flying itself is an adventure. Pilots simply not enough. We are therefore are pros and cons. You might be asked for claim the adrenaline rush when they extending our work for another week as an essay before admission to pilot school, ascend into the atmosphere is exhilarating. we continue to showcase the contribution check buy coursework for professional You get to travel the world, visit new made by women to our sector and as we and well-written essay at affordable places, and you can get really cheap fare consider how best to maintain this prices. prices to visit the places of your dreams approach throughout the year - starting What you will Gain when you are off the clock. with the adoption of a new hashtag Short Haul versus Long Haul Pilots Interacting with different culture and #oneweekisnotenough. You have two career choices when it learning new things is the hallmark of a We've been so proud to publish new comes to being a pilot. The first is the flying career. You also get to do solo and unique content about women who are short-haul pilots. As a short-haul pilot, changing the aviation world through their your days will follow a similar routine. flights to destinations planes do not work. We've been honored to publish Your flights are short ranging from usually fly to. interviews with some of the most senior between thirty minutes to three hours, and The Downsides of the Profession women in aviation. you typically return to base that day. You The high cost of training We spoke to women across our sector You need a and across the world, including Kate lot of cash to Staples, the General Counsel at UK CAA, become a pilot. Jacqui Sutton, the COO at Rolls Royce Training cost a Civil Aerospace, Katherine Bennett, the whole lot. It will Senior Vice President at Airbus, leaders at cost you an the United States Federal Aviation Administration Deloris W. Martin and Ali e s t i m a t e d McDermott, TemitayoShittu, the Head of $100,000 within Product and Marketing at Wakanow travel your first year. agency, and Simona Liukaityte- That price does Suszczynska, an optical systems engineer not include who worked on the Perseverance rover. feeding and In a week of 'firsts', AeroTime also accommodation launched its first television programme during your called 'Behind the Scenes'. In partnership p r o g r a m . with major aviation YouTuber Josh Cahill, Training takes up the new programme documents the first- ever all-female crewed flight in lots of money Afghanistan. We also presented the first and time. 10 'AeroTime Aviation Achievement will work five days a week. You can fly Missing out on holidays and Awards' to inspirational women across between two to six flights per day anniversary three continents. depending on the location. As a pilot in training or working after At the end of one week highlighting Long haul pilots, on the other hand, training, you often cannot dictate your the role women have and continue to play fly for over 6 hours in a single trip. Long schedule. It is even more difficult if you in aviation, the AeroTime team decided haul takes you all over the world to are a long haul pilot. You will miss out on a that #oneweekisnotenough. It's an different destinations. You will spend a lot lot of amazing holidays and memories. It obvious conclusion to reach and we are of time away from your home. Your trips can put a strain on your relationship with proud to play our part in highlighting the can be between a couple of days to weeks. hard work that is on-going, and helping to your family. promote equality across aviation. We will Working long hauls guarantee you Accumalation of Stress be continuing this work into the future and longer off days compared to short hauls. Stress is a regular part of being a pilot, we invite everyone else to join us. Thanks All long haul pilots need experience as especially long hauls flights. Flying is no to all the inspirational women who short hauls before applying for the job. doubt exciting, but it does take its toll on featured in our first week and thanks too to Long haul pilots get higher pay than short the body. The constant feeling of jetlag those who will now feature in week two. hauls. and the pressure of safeguarding hundreds We will continue to promote the cause Wages, Adventure, and Travelling of passengers' lives every day reduce the throughout the year so get in touch if you around the World excitement of flying for pilots. want to nominate a woman in aviation for Pilots earn a quite high wage; this is us to profile.
26 MARCH 2021 An Exciting Excursion By Aahil Waqas
The Happiest Day of my life: Last Sunday I went with my father to the flying club, for a joy ride. At the flying club, I saw big and small airplanes, they were looking amazing to me. I was so excited to have a joy ride with my papa. We sat in the cockpit for a joy ride. We flew high over Lahore city. The city was looking stunning from the sky. Everything appeared to be tiny such as cars, buildings, people and homes. I also spotted my house. After an hour of the joy ride, it was time to land. We landed safely on the runway. I felt a bit gloomy as it was time to go home. We took pictures with beautiful aircraft. It was great fun, I felt lucky because I got a chance to see my favorite aeroplanes and ride on it. It was a thrilling experience that I could ever have in my life.
Aahil Waqas studies in class-1, and his father is a pilot. Highlanders women’s Football team dinner at Pearl Continental Karachi
Mr. Haseeb A. Gardezi Chief Operating Officer Hashoo Group, Hospitality Division Hosted Highlanders Mr. Waleed Javed Khan Head Couch of the team Women’s Football Team Dinner at Peral- continental Hotel Karachi. Photo graphed with Mr. A. S. Azad Editor Flyer Pearl - Continental Hotel Karachi General Manager Mr. Tariq Deen was also Present on the occasion. International on the occasion. MARCH 2021 - 27 28 - MARCH 2021 Xpress Aviation, CSS YG Cargo Airlines hosts reception for Cargo Agents in Lahore
G Cargo Airline operates 4 about the airlines and its services at a Chinese Cargo airlines based in flights a week from KMG reception held at Ramada Hotel Lahore Hangzhou China. It was founded in 2015. (China) to Karachi and 4 recently. He said that YG Cargo airlines It has 12 aircrafts and operates to 21 Y destinations. Xpress Aviation headed by flight to Lahore, using Boeing 757 F has appointed Xpress Aviation as CSS aircraft. Now the airlines has started (Cargo Sales & Service) Agent in Mr. M. Ilyas was established more then a decade ago and has a rich experience of booking of export cargo from Pakistan Pakistan. He further said "CSS for the handling every kinds of cargo. It also has effective 23rd February 2021. The airlines airlines will accept cargo only through a vast experience in operating chartered covers 21 destinations. This was told by IATA cargo agents, it will not accept cargo flights from Pakistan to various Mr. M. Ilyas CEO Xpress Aviation CSS directly from the shipper etc." countries. for YG Cargo airlines in Pakistan. YG (YTO Cargo Airlines Co. Ltd.) Xpress Aviation is one of the active Mr. M. Ilyas briefed the cargo agents operating as YTO Cargo airlines, is a cargo airlines marketing company.
Mr. Muhammad Ilyas CEO Xpress Aviation CSS YG Cargo Airlines briefing the cargo agent s at a reception hosted at Ramada Hotel Lahore.
MARCH 2021 - 29 Uzbekistan offered access to Pakistani ports Resumption of desirous of acceding to the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA), an ECO freight train agreement between China, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to facilitate delayed transit traffic and trade. Pakistan has been supporting Uzbekistan in this regard also. peration of Istanbul-Tehran- The road project under this agreement Islamabad (ITI) freight train, which was set to resume would provide an alternative link between O recently after a period of over nine years, Pakistan and Central Asia while bypassing has been delayed for two weeks due to Afghanistan through the Karakoram administrative and functional issues. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Highway which connects Gilgit-Baltistan The issues include some welcomes his Uzbek counterpart Dr Abdulaziz to China's Xinjiang region and further on apprehensions from the freight Kamilov to the Foreign Office on Wednesday 10 to Central Asia. March. forwarders, dilapidated condition of the Dr Kamilov's visit was also focused railway track between Taftan-Quetta and rime Minister Imran Khan on on regional connectivity and he extended Sukkur. Wednesday 10 March assured invitations to Mr Khan and Foreign A senior PR official said that the train PUzbekistan of complete Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for would resume operation by the end of this facilitation in access to Pakistani ports. participation in Central Asia-South Asia month. Mr Khan held out the assurance Connectivity Conference in Tashkent in “In a virtual meeting of the ITI freight during a meeting with Uzbekistan's July. train working group of the 10 member Foreign Minister Dr Abdulaziz Kamilov, countries organisation – Economic Mr Khan told Dr Kamilov that he who was on a two-day visit to Pakistan. Cooperation Organisation (ECO) – held looked forward to visiting Uzbekistan and Mr Khan, according to a statement recently, it was revealed that the private that his government wanted enhanced issued by the Prime Minister Office after freight forwarders in three countries — the meeting, said that Pakistan's Karachi trade and regional connectivity. Turkey, Iran and Pakistan — have some and Gwadar ports could become “the DELEGATION-LEVEL MEETING apprehension/observations about tariff/fare, duration, safety, security etc. gateway to the landlocked Central Asia as During the delegation-level talks, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Coordination on their part is another issue. Pakistan provided the Central Asian Hopefully, they will make a final decision Republics the shortest route to and his Uzbek counterpart Dr Kamilov exchanged views on enhancement of about booking their goods within next international seas”. days,” Pakistan Railways Chief Pakistan, he said, would facilitate economic cooperation, mutual support in Marketing Manager Kashif Yousfani told Uzbekistan's access to its ports. international fora, regional connectivity media. Uzbekistan, which currently relies on and tourism promotion. “It may take approximately two Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas for The two foreign ministers, the weeks as I am sure that the operation of ITI external trade, is exploring other options Foreign Office said, expressed train, named as ECO train, will resume by and is prioritising Pakistani ports because satisfaction at the progress achieved in the end of this month,” he said. of short distance, being more economical advancing the rail connectivity between Mr Yousafni said the Turkish and due to some political considerations. the two countries and agreed on early railways had already booked goods Uzbekistan is working with Pakistan completion of the Trans-Afghan railway consisting of 20 containers and the PR also project. told the Pakistani freight forwarders to on the development of two options — the submit their proposals (if any) in this first is the Trans-Afghan railway project Mr Qureshi called for establishing direct regard. while the second is the road route via air connectivity between the two countries Talking about the condition of the China. to boost up trade and tourism. He also track, he said though it was not good, it did Pakistan, Afghanistan and stressed the need for quick facilitation of not mean it was unfit for the trains' Uzbekistan had in Tashkent in February visas for businessmen and tourists. operation. signed a roadmap for the construction of Visit to GHQ “The condition of the track is not so almost 600km of Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul- Dr Kamilov later visited the General good. But it is fit for the freight trains since Peshawar railway line. The project, which Headquarters for a meeting with Army they run with the maximum speed of 50km is expected to take five years for Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa. Director per hour,” he explained. completion at an estimated cost of $4.8 General of ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed also Mr Yousfani said the railways billion, enjoys the backing of international attended the meeting. divisional superintendents concerned had lending agencies including the World “Matters of mutual interest, overall been directed to ensure complete Bank. maintenance of the track before regional situation including the Afghan resumption of the train. Mr Khan welcomed the proposed Peace Process and bilateral cooperation in Trans-Afghan railway project and It is pertinent to mention that the first various fields were discussed. Both train from Islamabad to Istanbul was underscored Pakistan's commitment to reiterated the desire to further enhance inaugurated on Aug 14, 2009. support all efforts for the earliest bilateral relations including efforts for The first train from Istanbul to realisation of this important connectivity peace and security in the region,” the ISPR Islamabad dry port reached on Aug 13, project. said in a statement. 2010. So far, eight trains have been Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has been dispatched from Pakistan to Turkey.
30 - MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021 - 31 Munir Ahmed said only the strategic Efficient and empowered authority partners could understand the importance of the CPEC initiatives while politicians have no idea about the strategic and urged for CPEC socioeconomic culmination of the project. “We need to “Many have been projecting it as a make the CPEC debt trap. Every investment and loan has projects more the capacity to become debt if not used transparent and efficiently. We need to develop the CPEC efficient if inspired to narrative according to its objectives and achieve the targets targets beyond the political scoring and and harness the vested interests of the individuals and the economic benefits. A interests groups,” he said. rational narrative is imperative to wipe Dr Zahoor Bazai stressed the need to off the ambiguity and prioritise the engagement of locals in the rumours by engaging projects and also ensure environmental parliamentarians and integrity through adequate media counter- Environmental Impact Assessments o f f e n s i v e (EIAs). Experts at a webinar on SaturdayMarch 13 feared that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) might become a debt trap if the authorities did not campaigns,” he said. efficiently actualise the targets of the game-changer initiative. Hassan Daud Butt said 22 projects Container train xperts at a webinar on had been completed Saturday March 13 feared that so far despite an 18 months delay due to between Karachi, Ethe China-Pakistan Economic political disruption. Corridor (CPEC) might become a debt “The federal government need to trap if the authorities did not efficiently revive the monthly meetings of the CPEC Lahore launched actualise the targets of the game-changer stakeholders and the periodic meetings of n what is being described as a initiative. the seven joint working groups to improve major development aimed at Institutions, experts and the public at efficiency. CPEC is indeed a game- Imodernising the Pakistan large are still unclear about the scope and changer but it could be a debt trap if not Railways' freight service, a modernised targets of CPEC where the Pakistan taken seriously and worked hard to premium container train between Karachi government has committed billions of achieve the targets of the project on time. and Lahore has been launched by the PR. dollars to pool in on high rates of interest. The CPEC authority shall have more Officials said the first of such train They said a fact-based narrative powers and authority to combat the departed from Juma Goth railway station building is very important while the challenges and bottlenecks,” he said. here for Lahore. They said that the enemies and unwise friends are spreading Dr Shahid Rasheed said CPEC booking procedure for all of the wagons rumours for their own vested interests and improved Pakistan's GDP to 5.7 per cent in of this container train can be carried out to malign the CPEC initiatives. A one- 2018 from 3.3pc in 2013, and also online by open bidding from the railways' window operation shall be the backbone improved the security situation. of the agricultural and industrial phase of website. “Covid-19 and political instability has The PR has scheduled six up-country CPEC which should be handled by the marred the performance of CPEC in recent relevant and expert human resource. years. But a reborn of CPEC would bring departures of this premium container train Development Communications much better benefits to the nation. on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st and 26th of Network (Devcom-Pakistan) organised Parliamentarians of both sides shall work each month, whereas the subsequent the webinar. The panel of experts included in harmony for an inclusive CPEC down-country departures shall take place Adviser to President National Defence authority that is much needed in its new on 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd and 28th of University (NDU) and former ambassador phase to invigorate agriculture and every month. retired Gen Raza Mohammad, who is a industrialisation around CPEC,” he said. The newly introduced container train PhD on CPEC, former project director Shakeel Ramay said Pakistan needed is expected to cover the Karachi-Lahore CPEC with the Planning Commission of to understand that it is one of the 139 distance within 32 hours. Pakistan and presently CEO KP Board of countries that have signed the Belt and “Punctuality of this premium train Investment Hasan Daud Butt, NASCOM Road Initiative (BRI) and in case of shall be under strict observation as Director and former executive director sluggishness the investors would go to CPEC Centre of Excellence, Pakistan refunding provision to the parties has other parts of the BRI. been entailed if the train does not reach its Institute of Development Economics “Speed of work matters in the (PIDE) Dr Shahid Rasheed, Director destination within the stipulated time,” international development projects but we said a PR statement issued. CPEC Study Centre SDPI Shakeel are lagging behind the schedule of Ramay, development experts Dr Zahoor Each train comprises 30 wagons and development because of very casual bidding for each wagon starts at Bazai (Quetta) and Dr Khushboo Ejaz behaviour. Unfortunately, the government Rs125,000. The train's estimated (Lahore), and executive director Devcom- could not project the economic benefits of Pakistan Munir Ahmed. CPEC. Rumours are in the air without any minimum monthly earning shall be General Mohammad said CPEC was check. We need to have an empowered Rs22.5 million, if per wagon bidding of a ray of hope for the economic prosperity CPEC authority,” he said. all six trains closes at starting value. of Pakistan.
32 - MARCH 2021 Walking on the well-travelled road
akistan's resurging trade Elaborating on the factors leading to deficit isn't surprising given import growth, commerce minister Abdul to surpass their annual target of $42.4bn. Pthe nation's heavy reliance on Razak Dawood tweeted that most of this According to the State Bank of imports and the limited range of products growth had come from an increase of Pakistan Governor Reza Baqir, the it can sell to the world. This was expected 7.8pc in the import of raw materials and industry has already opened letters of to increase in the wake of new growth in intermediate goods (which is reflected by credit worth $1bn for importing import demand with the pick-up in an increase in the manufacturing output in machinery for new projects or expansion economic activities and consumption. recent months) even though the imports of and balancing, modernisation and Few believed that the government and capital goods declined by 0.2pc. The replacement of the existing ones under the central bank could reduce the trade gap by imports of consumer goods also went bank's concessionary, long-term holding down the import demand for a down by 7.3pc. Temporary Economic Refinance Facility very long time to keep the pressure off the Besides raw materials and (TERF), implying that the trade gap will country's current account. intermediary goods imported by the continue to expand. However, he recently The new trade data published by the industry, the increased purchases of food told media that the increase in exports and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows products — especially wheat and sugar — remittances would offset the impact of the that the February trade gap expanded by this year owing to domestic shortages also rising imports on the current account (for almost 24 per cent to $2.5 billion year-on- increased. The rising cotton imports on the the time being at least). The banks have so year, mainly owing to the far approved TERF loans rebounding imports and the of over Rs430bn or equal falling exports, which to 1pc of the GDP. The luckily continued to grow rising global oil prices and by above $2bn for the fifth commodities like palm oil consecutive month. The etc may further swell the gap, however, declined by import bill and, in turn, the about 5.9pc from January trade gap. on a month-on-month basis. While imports are The data for the first likely to rise, Pakistan's eight months of the current overseas shipments are fiscal year shows that the anticipated to decline in trade deficit posted a the next four months as its double-digit growth of regional competitors — 10.6pc during the period India and Bangladesh — between July and February reopen their economies after the gap between what and the textile and clothing the country paid for its importers from the US and imports and what it earned through its back of the failure of the domestic crop at a Europe return to their old suppliers. exports swelled to $17.5bn from $15.8bn time when the textile and clothing However, the textile industry, which a year ago. This is in spite of the 4.3pc industry is operating at its full capacity to comprises almost 60pc of the nation's total growth in exports to $16.3bn from meet the export orders also forced the export revenues, is confident of retaining a $15.6bn a year ago. import bill to go up. The cumulative larger share of the new export orders Imports, on the other hand, rose by expenditure on the import of wheat, cotton despite reopening India and Bangladesh. 7.5pc to $33.8bn from $31.5bn. and sugar alone stands at $1.95bn in the The recent widening of the trade The continuous drop in imports on July to February period. In addition to deficit has indeed raised concerns about suppressed domestic demand helped by them, the spike in the energy prices — oil sustainability of the country's external the declining global oil prices in the wake and liquefied natural gas (LNG) — too sector. Although we have been managing of the Covid-19 crisis had provided some played its part in raising the dollar value of the balance-of-payment situation with the breathing space to the central bank in the import bill and consequently the trade help of unanticipated growth in workers' managing external accounts despite deficit. remittances as well as foreign loans, this is stagnating exports. Last fiscal year, the Analysts agree that the trade deficit not going to sustain for a very long time country's import bill shrank sharply by will likely remain wide in the remaining and we may face a new economic bust in $10.3bn or 18.8pc to $44.5bn from four months of the current fiscal year as next few years. The only sustainable way $54.8bn in the previous year. imports will continue to post growth as the forward is to boost exports through However, the rebound in imports is global economy reopens while the expanding the product range, finding new likely to again create pressures on the domestic demand for food products, markets, as well as attracting foreign external side in case the workers' cotton and industrial machinery is direct investment in export industries by remittances sent home by non-resident expected to stay high. Driven by food escalating work on the development of Pakistanis also start dropping going imports and domestic economic activity, special economic zones with plug-and- forward. imports are projected by the central bank play facilities.
MARCH 2021 - 33 Pakistan offers unique, diverse opportunities for tourism: Imran said, adding that the great mathematician made this site part of the world's heritage for all times to come. “The amazing thing is that today the world still accepts the accuracy with which that result was found out by Al- Bairuni after staying all those years there about 10 centuries ago.” While talking to Baghan Wala villagers, Mr Khan said all the developed nations had protected their old buildings, ancient archaeological and heritage sites. He said countries such as Turkey, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and even the western countries had developed tourism as an industry by preserving the archeological sites. Unfortunately, he said, work done in Pakistan in the past was insufficient to protect the heritage sites. He said that protecting those sites was inevitable for the upcoming generations and for the livelihood of the youth. Prime Minister Imran Khan interacts with locals after inaugurating the Nandana Fort heritage trail project. Mr Khan assured the locals that Baghan Wala would be developed as a rime Minister Imran Khan has after the inauguration, Mr Khan said no modern village and expressed the hope said Pakistan can provide a nation could progress without exploring that they would take care of the comfort of multiplicity of choices for and examining its history. Preservation the tourists. He said promotion of tourism P and protection of archaeological sites tourists that no other country can, would create employment opportunities elaborating on the diversity of provided an insight into the history and for the youth. He also announced that the opportunities to be found in the country — ethos of the nations, he said, while government would arrange loans and from its long coastline to some of the regretting that little or no effort had been other incentives for the local population world's tallest mountains and heritage made in the past to preserve or discover for establishing hotels and other sites, including those belonging to ancient heritage. “Even Mohenjodaro and requirements for the tourists. civilisations. Harappa [archaeological sites of the Indus While drawing attention of the prime He expressed these views after Valley civilisation] were discovered by minister towards the issues of his inaugurating the heritage trail project at the British,” he remarked. constituency on the occasion, federal Al-Bairuni Point (Baghan Wala Village) However, he said recently the minister for science and technology at Nandana Fort in Jhelum district archaeology expert, Mr Samad, who was Chaudhry Fawad Hussain demanded recently. The trail in Pind Dadan Khan, the also present at the ceremony, had dualisation of Jhelum-Pind Dadan Khan- premier said, would be the gateway to discovered a 40-foot statue of Buddha Lilla interchange road link. He said if the seven archaeological sites, including near Haripur. After the discovery, he road was built, the area could become a Nandana Fort, Shiva Temple, Tilla added, the followers of Buddhism from hub for tourism. The chief minister Sardar Joggian, Khewra Salt Mines, Mallot Fort across the world wanted to visit the site. Usman Buzdar Khan responding to the and Takht-i-Babri. He said the conservation and prime minister's query, assured that he Nandana Fort is a place of historical preservation of the historical sites in would soon exclusively visit the district significance, where renowned Jhelum was aimed to convert them into Jhelum and resolve all issues of area mathematician Abu Rehan al-Bairuni international heritage and tourism sites. development. measured the circumference of the Earth. The premier, who also inaugurated Punjab tourism minister Asif Built in the eighth century, the fort was Tilla Joggian and Salt Range national Mehmood told the prime minister that strategically located on a hilltop parks in the Paddri area near Jhelum, said rehabilitation process of the Rohtas Fort overlooking the Salt Range. the preservation of the Nandana Fort and had started and a museum in the fort was The tourism and archaeological the establishment of the national parks also being set up for tourists. He said department of Punjab has designed the was part of the 2020-30 vision for tourism many villages had a route from within the project for preservation and conservation in Pakistan. Rohtas Fort and a bypass road with the of the site to convert it into an Mr Khan said the Nandana Fort in help of World Bank was being built to international tourist spot as per the desire particular was a “very special place” and provide the villagers an alternative route. of the prime minister. Over Rs120 million would find its way on the world map, as He said that a 27km-track for jeep rally had initially been allocated for the “for the first time if someone tried to was being built for Tilla Joggian heritage preservation project. measure the [circumference of the] world, site and a 3.5-km hiking trail was also Inaugurates Nandana Fort heritage then it was from there. From the Nandana being developed. A feasibility study was trail project, two national parks Fort, which was an observatory around being conducted to upgrade the tourism Speaking to the local community 1,000 years ago, Al-Bairuni had measured spots in the region of Jhelum, Chakwal the radius of the Earth with precision, he
34 - MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021 - 35 and Salt Range which would be completed till June, he said, expressing `A heart as big as K2` the hope that the project would be added in the next Annual Development Project Ali Sadpara was born February 2, (ADP). 1976 in a village called Sadpara, near Later while talking to the media, the Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan, famous for its prime minister said he had visited the area porters who have made numerous about 30 years ago and had thought to expeditions. The life of a porter is as relentless and unforgiving as it is develop them for tourism. He told unrewarding. To carry many kilos of reporters that Pakistan had a range of weight over jagged topography is a tourisms sites from mountains to the challenge in itself, even more so when it is coastline as well as historical sites. He the only means of livelihood for a person. said Turkey and Malaysia were earning The proud Pakistani at the K2 summit in 2018 The key element here was survival, many billions of dollars from the tourism When his son died fighting in World which Sadpara learned at a young age. His industry but unfortunately Pakistan War I, former US President Theodore mother had breastfed him till the age of earned nothing from this industry. The Roosevelt wrote that “only those are fit to six, determined to make him survive, a country also had old cities of Lahore and live who do not fear to die and none are fit fate that eight of his 11 siblings did not Peshawar that had a great potential to to die who have shrunk from the joy of life share. Like the Scots of the Highlands or attract tourists. The PM said people were and the duty of life.” the Druze of the Chouf Mountains of aware of the tourism spots on hills and For the people of Pakistan, the tragic Lebanon, the rugged terrain of Pakistan's mountains but were not familiar with the news of the disappearance of one of its northern areas have bred an air of historical places such as Nandana Fort. proudest sons, mountaineer Muhammad toughness among the villagers who live there. The people there are able to endure The PM vowed that a tourist guide Ali Sadpara, is a difficult and heartbreaking blow. Sadpara disappeared, physical hardships that would break most with map would be made to facilitate their people, yet still adhere to a humility and travel to scores of places worth visiting in along with his companions John Snorri from Iceland and Juan Pablo Mohr from sense of optimism about a better life. Pakistan. He said domestic tourism in Having gotten married at the age of Pakistan had recorded a boom in recent Chile, attempting to become the first Pakistani to climb K2 during winter. 19, his determination to provide for his years. Overseas Pakistanis also visited the family, drew him towards becoming a beautiful areas of the country while Sadpara, Snorri and Mohr could not porter for foreign mountaineers, which international tourism would also increase be contacted since they made their push was the best paid job available. With an for the summit from Camp 3 at midnight in the coming years, he believed. iron will, he carried loads for climbers between February 4 and 5. Sadpara's son back and forth in the Karakoram mountain Mr Khan said Pakistan had a great Sajid had accompanied his father on the potential for religious tourism. There range, often for wages amounting to a expedition but had been forced to return mere three US dollars a day. were a lot of sacred sites for Buddhists in from the 'bottleneck' — the most the Gandhara civilisation, a large challenging part of the climb — a mere However, Sadpara's real baptism by community of Sikhs visit Kartarpur and 300m from the top, after a leak in his fire as a porter came about during the mid- Nankana Sahib, Hindus visit the Katas oxygen tank. 1990s when Pakistan and India locked horns over the strategically vital Siachin Raj and other temples and those who were The 'Savage Mountain', as K2 is often Glacier — he was recruited by the army to interested in the Sufism visit the shrines of called, had recently been conquered by a carry heavy supplies for soldiers while great Muslim saints. Nepali expedition during winter in what under fire. The lessons of his childhood of National parks, olive plantation was a landmark achievement in being physically and mentally tough Later, PM Khan also inaugurated mountaineering history. Fortune, physical served him well to survive in such an Tilla Joggian and Salt Range national endurance and good weather had managed unforgiving environment. to smile upon the Nepali team during their parks in the Paddri area near Jhelum. endeavour. But sadly this was not the case As spiritually strong as he was The premier was briefed about the with Sadpara's team. Though rescue physically tough, Sadpara had always development and importance of the two operations continue at the time of this been passionate about the mountains. national parks, which were included in the writing, the chances of the team's survival During an interview with media Images in six protected areas. Besides the two in extreme sub-zero temperatures are very 2016, he had said that “Whatever I have national parks, other protected areas low, and a sense of inevitability now achieved is due to my love for the included Kheri Murat National Park, surrounds the recovery process. mountains.” He loved the mountainous outdoors and the challenge that they Chinji National Park, Namal Wetland and As a high altitude porter and exemplified. As natural monuments of a Chashma Wetland Nature Reserves. mountaineer, Sadpara had already made rugged and brutal terrain that balances Special Assistant to the PM on the country proud in 2016 by becoming with an ethereal beauty, the mountains Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam gave part of the first winter ascent of Nanga have always symbolised a majestic briefing on the protection of wildlife and Parbat, another equally dangerous environment in the area. mountain, along with Simone Moro of Italy and Alex Txikon of Spain. Along On the occasion, Mr Khan planted an with Nanga Parbat, Pakistan is home to olive sapling and said the government was five of the 14 8,000m peaks in the world. going to take steps to cultivate olive plants Fellow climbers pay tribute to in the region. He said the grafting of the Muhammad Ali Sadpara, the mountaineer wild olive would also be done next month who disappeared attempting to become and plantation drive of olive would be the first Pakistani to scale the 'Killer kicked off. He said olive production could Mountain' in winter, and who left a lasting be very helpful in foreign exchange. impression on all whose lives he touched. Muhammad Ali Sadpara
36 - MARCH 2021 spectacle that challenges climbers to a patriot who was very proud of his conquer them. heritage and of being from Sadpara. “He Swedish citizen Though he came from a humble wanted to invite me to discover his family background, he had great drive and and that magical mountain region. He ambition to achieve greatness in wanted to show to Pakistan's young hunts two mountaineering. people that they can also be climbers and Climber and CEO of Alpine was an example for everybody,”says markhors in GB Adventure Guides Pakistan Ali Zuloaga. Muhammad Saltoro says it was widely Romanian climber Alex Gvan acknowledged among climbers that remembers Sadpara for “a heart as large as Muhammad Ali Sadpara was a truly K2 ... His everlasting smile and positive unique person in the world of mindset were inspirational and mountaineering. Saltoro and Sadpara had contagious. Generous and altruist, always attempted Nanga Parbat together in 2008 putting others first. He was a high altitude — with Sadpara reaching the summit — extraordinaire and one of the very greats. I and had been friends for many years. was blessed to have met him,” said Gvan. “Recently I spoke to Denis Urubko Mountaineering has always been [famous Russian-Polish mountaineer] and regarded as a merciless endeavour and a his wife Maria and she was crying,” supreme example of man versus nature. Its A Swedish citizen hunted two Astore Markhors in Jutial conservancy near Gilgit on Sunday. Saltoro tells me on the fourth day of the triumphs are as sweet as its defeats are search. “A person like him comes along bitter. In an interview with the Alpinist, r Donald had obtained very rarely in the field of mountaineering. Sadpara had once said that, “In climbing, permit for hunting a single In 2018-19, when there was an accident on there are two outcomes — life or death — Mmarkhor at payment of Nanga Parbat, I called him and he arrived and you must find the courage to accept 63,000 US dollars. there that very day in Skardu,” he says, either possibility.” According to a press release, the recalling how Sadpara helped retrieve the With his apparent death, Pakistan has hunter was in the area for last two weeks. bodies of British mountaineer Tom lost a hero and a true braveheart. On Sunday, he killed a markhor with 40 Ballard and Spanish mountaineer Daniele inches horns. Nardi. The Jutal conservancy committee “People like that are very rare. There Punjab celebrates members presented a traditional cap to the are many climbers in Pakistan and if I hunter. They also vowed to take more praise them it would be embarrassing but, Culture Day steps to ensure conservation of wildlife not in his case — you won't find a person species in the region. irst time in the history of like him. There was no malintent about Conservator parks and wildlife him. There was only one Sadpara.” Punjab, Culture Day celebrated day on Sunday 14 Khadim Hussain and DFO Gilgit region Mountaineer Alex Txikon first met F Raja Arif arrived in the area and Ali Sadpara 20 years ago. “In almost two of March. Under the direction of Chief Minister congratulated the community on decades, you have time to know each other successful hunting of markhor in their very well,” he says. “Today many people Usman Buzdar, all-district officers wear turbans to highlight the importance of area. know his career, but above all he was a Meanwhile, sources told Dawn that kind, warm man, always taking care of his occasion. the Swedish national hunted another family.” Txikon says that though financial In this regard, Punjab Culture markhor under one permit in the same area benefits were never the main motivation Department completed all preparations to without informing of ficials and local for Sadpara, the past year had been celebrate the day. particularly difficult for him. “Work Main function held at Alhamra Hall people. had become so scarce that he needed in Lahore. According locals, the second hunted the money to support his family.” A cultural village was built at markhor was of young age and was not Sadpara had expressed his dream to Alhamra while stalls of Punjabi food and identified for trophy hunting which was Txikon to climb all 14 of the world's cultural arts and crafts were set up in the against wildlife rules. 8,000m peaks, a target all great village. DFO Raja Arif said the foreign hunter mountaineers seek to achieve. “These last Punjabi artists performed Punjabi had obtained one permit, however, he few months and weeks we had talked a lot. folk songs and dances during this event. mistakenly killed another markhor. I think I remember him telling me he He explained that when the hunter would not try K2 in winter, but necessity fired at a markhor, the bullet crossed its led him to do so,” he says. “It's a shame body and killed another, which was and a great loss, more than as a standing nearby. He said the second hunt mountaineer, as a person.” was not illegal as the hunter did not intend Txikon's manager Ignacio Zuloaga it. remembers Ali Sadpara as a man with a The wildlife official, however, said great heart who always loved to dance and the hunter would pay another 63,000 US sing the traditional songs from Pakistan's dollars for hunting the second markhor mountain regions. Zuloaga recalls him as under one permit.
MARCH 2021 - 37
South China Sea
MARCH 2021 - 39 Fourth Sindh Literature Festival cultural activism has been taking place in Mehtab Akbar Sindh.” Rashdi said the S L F w a s Coming back to Dr Ahmed's everybody's concerns, he argued that only the state can institution. provide some of the answers to his Carrying on with questions, not society. To back up his the political statement, he said the bill of accepting argument made by four languages as national languages was an earlier speaker moving around in the National Assembly she commented, and Senate. “India has declared 26 “Give love, take languages as national languages, why love.” can't Pakistan do the same with four,” he asked. R e n o w n e d writer from With respect to Urdu, he said, “We Balochistan Dr love Urdu but a similar sentiment should Shah Mohammad also come from the other corner.” Mehtab Akbar Rashdi speaks at the event on Friday March 12 Mari was the Zohaib Kaka delivered the vote of evening. keynote speaker at thanks. Najia Mir and Sajjad conducted the inaugural the opening session. he fourth Sindh Literature session. Festival (SLF) began at the He said Shah Latif Bhitai was not just Karachi resident TArts Council of Pakistan a poet of Sindh and represented its culture; Karachi with some thought-provoking he was also a buzurg and leader of the hunts ibex in Shigar speeches highlighting the rich culture and Baloch. In his poetry he called the Baloch traditions of Sindh on Friday March 12 the ideal human. Shah Latif also compiled evening. a list of points of what constituted the ideal Before formal proceedings started, a human. The point at the top of that list was delightful performance by the shehnai respect for Sassui. player Ustad Abdullah Khan entertained Dr Mari said man was the only the audience. He was followed by Ali creature who didn't communicate with Mohammad Ronjho, who played the horns, paws or claws. Man (insaan) chang. Then Ustad Zulfiqar Ali played speaks, sings and plays music, which is multiple instruments to set a melodious why he lives in groups and establishes tone for the things to come. societies. And which is why he comes up One of the three principal organisers with festivals and carnivals such as SLF. of the event, Naseer Gopang, was the first Poet Imdad Husaini said Pakistan is a A man from Karachi hunted on Wednesday March speaker of the evening. He talked about multilingual society. All languages 10 an ibex with 42 inches horns in the Hushy valley the gist of the programme, which is to seek (Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi, Pashto, etc) of Shigar district under the trophy hunting peace in the world. should be declared national languages. man from Karachi hunted on Writer Noorul Huda Shah lauded the They are not a danger to Urdu or the Urdu Wednesday March 10 an ibex youngsters' effort in arranging the event, language poses any threat to them. Even Awith 42 inches horns in the saying we should be proud of them. She English should be accepted because Hushy valley of Shigar district under the also mentioned that the festival came into writers of the world are our writers, he trophy hunting programme 2021. being in response to another similar event. added. Zaffar Syed had obtained the licence PPP's govt termed pro-culture Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed said SLF was from the GB wildlife department for dispensation important on two counts. One, it helps us Rs360,000. Separately, the nine-day-long President of the Arts Council Ahmed understand the history of Sindh. Two, it Sut Das Peace Festival concluded in Darel Shah said SLF's sun has now risen at the enables us to celebrate the region's valley of Diamer district. council. But, he pointed out it wasn't for achievements in the arts. After saying that, Competitions of polo, cricket, the first time that has happened. In 1975 he read a detailed paper, which raised football, donkey race, paragliding and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto held a programme some questions about the cultural growth other games were held. Players from called 'Sindh through the Centuries' at the of the region. across GB participated in the same venue. For the late prime minister, 'Cultural activism taking place in competitions. the council was the centre of culture. The Sindh' The final ceremony was attended by founder of the PPP was also responsible Sindh Culture Minister Syed Sardar political, civil and military officials, and for setting up institutions such as the Shah was the final speaker of the opening large number of games' lovers. PNCA, Alhamra Arts Council Lahore, the session. Force Commander Gilgit-Baltistan National Book Foundation and the He started off by congratulating the Maj-Gen Jawwad Ahmed Qazi was the Academy of Letters. young organisers of the festival arguing chief guest of the concluding ceremony. 'Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi and Pashto that it's not easy to be consistent in one's A music programme was also held on should be declared national languages' endeavours. the occasion. The Pakistan Army in He remarked that even today the Referring to the queries that Dr collaboration with the local administration Pakistan Peoples Party-led provincial Ahmed had raised in his paper, he said a also arranged a free medical camp. Gen government is a “pro-culture small answer to one of his questions was Jawwad Qazi distributed gifts and trophies dispensation”. SLF. “For the last eight to nine years, among the players.
40 - MARCH 2021 of the local people. “Pakistan is an Gabin Jabba amazing country. Photos and videos cannot grasp the unique beauty and the Qasim Jafri takes kindness of the people of Pakistan,” she festival ends amid said. She said that she would come to Swat over as Avari colours in future to participate in more such activities. Hotels Cluster GM The event had other attractions including cultural performance by a group from Lahore. The participants enjoyed traditional dances of Chitral, Gilgit and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while performance of violinist Sofija from Serbia enthralled the tourists. Four-star hotel to be Cyclists on their way to Gabin Jabba top during a race on the concluding day of the sports and launched in Hunza cultural festival in Swat. ashoo Group will soon launch he three-day sports and PC Legacy hotel in Hunza, cultural festival also Haccording to a press release Tconcluded amid colours and issued here on Thursday 25 Feb. adventures in Gabin Jabba on Sunday 28 Located in the scenic valley of vari Hotels has acquired the Feb. Nasirabad, Hunza, it will be the second services of renowned The festival attracted a large number hotel by Hashoo Group in its recently Ahotelier Mr. Qasim Jafri, of tourists from across the country. The introduced brand of hotels by the name of who comes with 35 years of industry festival was organised by Khyber PC Legacy, following PC Legacy Naran. experience. He has taken charge of Avari Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism The brand “PC Legacy” is a new chain Authority (KP-CTA) in collaboration Hotel Lahore, Avari Xpress Gulberg and of four-star hotels by Hashoo Group, who Avari Xpress Faisalabad as the Cluster with district administration of Swat. already owns and operates Pearl Young men and women from across the Continental, Marriott and Hotel One General Manager. country participated in various snow Jafri is a Cornell University Alumni sporting events. across the country. PC Legacy will bridge the gap for who speaks five languages, also attended Separately in Malam Jabba, national hotel schools in Europe and Asia. He is a and international cyclists participated in a travellers between the five-star and the six-kilometre race on a dirt track. Cyclists select service hotels. In this connection, an seasoned professional who has worked from Mingora, Islamabad, Lahore and agreement was signed between Pakistan with known hotel chains in Europe, Canada took part in different categories of Services and Linked International Pvt at Middle East, Canada and Pakistan, the race. Islamabad Marriott Hotel. The agreement was signed by Haseeb namely; Hilton International, Marriot Forest Secretary Shahid Khan, who International, Pearl Continental and Avari was chief guest on the occasion, Gardezi, the chief operating officer of distributed certificates and prizes among hospitality division at Hashoo Group, and Hotels International. the players. He said that Malam Jabba Ski Mehboob Bhulani of Linked International He was General Manager of various Resort had great attraction for tourists and Pvt. 5-star hotels around the world and also adventure seekers. “The ski resort is “In line with the prime minister's Director Hospitality Division of Orient serving not only as a tourist destination vision, our goal is to develop sustainable Group, CEO Emporium Hospitality and infrastructure of hotels in Northern but is also promoting sports and adventure CEO of Nishat Hotels and Properties. He is activities,” he added. Pakistan. We plan to promote domestic also a member of the Board of Directors of Athletes showed remarkable tourism by offering state-of-the-art travel performance on difficult terrains of the and lodging facilitates to visitors at the the Tourism Development Corporation valley where many had to put their most beautiful destinations of Pakistan. (PTDC). He is also on the steering bicycles in low gear to reach the finish Our focus is, and will always remain, committee of the World Bank funded line. Winners were awarded with cash Pakistan,” said Murtaza Hashwani, the programme of tourism uplift in Punjab and prizes. deputy chairman and CEO of Hashoo Member Foreign Minster's Core Group on Group. Under the junior category, Zeeshan Cultural Diplomacy. got first, Abuzar second and Zeeshan Ali Faisal Sawani, the director of Linked third position respectively. In male International, said that they were proud to Jafri is a man of multiple passions like category, Danish Mand got first, partner with such a prestigious group of preservation and promotion of poetry, Mohammad Usman second and Hammad hotels that had decades of hospitality literature, music, environment and Hussain got third position respectively. management experience. “We are very heritage. He is also President of the Board In the female category, Bisma got confident that this project will be a huge of Governors of Goethe Institute, Lahore first prize and famous Canadian biker success,” he added. and a member of the Board of Directors of Rosie Gabriel got second position. Opening of this four-star hotel will not Dabistan-e-Iqbal, Faiz Foundation and life Rosie Gabriel said on the occasion only boost economic activities in the area that she was surprised to see the stunning but will also provide prospects for member of the Human Rights Commission natural beauty and enjoyed the hospitality domestic employment. of Pakistan.
MARCH 2021 - 41 42 - MARCH 2021 TO BE FRANK By: Dr. S. M. Moin Qureshi Population - more or less?
n America, when a teacher asked adult pupation to maintain the level of the class in what part of the world economic prosperity. The desirable birth Ithe most ignorant people were to rate for Japanese has now been suggested be found, a small boy volunteered quickly, as 2.1 which, in most other (over- "In New York, sir." The teacher was populated) Asian countries, is taken as amazed, and questioned the lad as to high. The same is true of Singapore, where he had obtained such information. which has the highest per capita income in "Well," the student replied, "the the region. geography says that's where population is In China, where population once the most dense." used to be the greatest asset of the country, For quite too long now, Western one-family-one-child formula was nations have been linking population strictly enforced over the decades. The growth with ignorance. The most signifi- result was that the couples went on abor- cant manifestation of this linkage can be tion rampage once the ultrasound con- seen in African countries. Western intel- firmed that the baby in the mother's womb lectuals, social reformers, politicians and was a girl. This disturbed the gender pro- economic planners have been vehemently portion in that country with only 100 girls pleading for keeping the population to the A published report of UN predicts that for every 119 boys. The government had bare minimum level. Toynbee was one of Germany's population is set to pummel to react by imposing ban on gender- the staunchest supporters of birth control. from 82 million to 70.8 million by 2050. A related abortions. According to him, maximum welfare, not study by Germany's federal institute for This is not to suggest that the pov- maximum population, was the human demographic research showed that 26 per erty-stricken African countries and under- objective. He went on to ridicule, "We cent of men and 15 per cent of women aged developed Asian countries should give up have been God-like in our planned between 20 and 39 do not want to start a their population planning programmes. In breeding of the domesticated plants and family, a sharp rise since 1992 when the fact, countries like Pakistan are hit by animals, but we have been rabbit-like in figures were of 12 per cent and 10 per cent population explosion. Every socio- our unplanned breeding of ourselves." respectively. Forty per cent of university- economic problem in these countries Another scholar (Jack Rock) reasoned, "A educated women of childbearing age are traces its origin in uncontrolled births. society which practices death control without a child in Germany, which is faced Overpopulation is virtually the root cause must, at the same time, practice birth with the problem of rapidly ageing popu- of every evil in these countries. What control. lation. (late) President Lyndon B. Johnson of However, the Western concept that Faced with the same-problem, France America said of his country in fact applies contraception should be used on every has 'deregulated' its population policy. to South Asian countries in to-to: "Five "conceivable" occasion has backfired. Hence, anyone (male or female) who takes dollars invested in population control is Even, otherwise, somebody should tell one year's leave without pay subsequent to worth one hundred dollars invested in the proponents of birth control that you the birth of his/her third child would be economic growth." Yet, as some one said, should have thought of all this before you paid an allowance equivalent to 916 dollars "We all worry about the population were born. Everybody in favour of birth a month. The idea is to induce couples to explosion -but we don't worry about it at control has already been born. Now the remain indoors for the sake of 'common the right time." efforts of containing the growth rate have weal of society. Canada too £S working on In Kolkata (former Calcutta), a man started bearing 'fruit' in the form of acute a similar policy day providing gifts in asked an auto rickshaw driver to take him dearth of manpower in Western countries. various forms to the couples who have across the town to the west side. Off the Those at the helm of affairs are rickshaw driver flew, darting into busy more than two children. Privately also, bewildered as to who, if the preset trend traffic, making precarious turns and these couples receive valuable presents continues, will run industries, changing lanes a dozen times a minute. besides widespread publicity on radio/TV. development projects, atomic plants, etc. "Please keep the vehicle under con- In Asia, the craze of economic de- Germans have already stopped hav- trol," the passenger pleaded adding, "I velopment has plagued the Japanese so- ing children and the number of couples have ten children at home." ciety. An entire generation born there dur- opting for a childless life is rising every Answered the driver, "You have ten ing the 1970s is still mostly childless. Av- year to the consternation of politician and children and you're advising me to con- erage age being steadily increased, that employers in the Euro zone's biggest trol?” country is also faced with the shortage of economyh.
MARCH 2021 - 43 VISION LOGISTICS (Pvt) Ltd., is one of the Leading International Freight Forwarders in Pakistan. Our valued customers has proven our ability to accomplish every project with consistent quality services, total logistics solutions, at lowest possible cost within time delivery.
44 - MARCH 2021 Al-Khalil Centre, Suite No. 12,-14, 3rd Floor, Kashmir Road, Sialkot = Pakistan. Tel No. 0092 52 3240608, 0092 52 3242110, 0092 52 3242109, 0092 52 3252110 Web: www.saf.com.pk Email: [email protected]
MARCH 2021 - 45 Islamabad - 051-111-222-787 Lahore - 042-111-222-787 Faisalabad - 041-111-222-787 Hyderabad - 022-111-222-787 Karachi - 021-111-222-787
Very Attractive terms for corporat Clients: Contact Cell # 0314-2377771 E-mail: [email protected]
46 - MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021 - 47 48 - MARCH 2021