Is PIA mandated to carry out civil work at airport, runway?

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), on August 24, is reported to have signed the construction contract of the main runway upgrading project of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, with a joint venture led by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). 

The main works of this project include refurbishing the runway and upgrading the drainage ditch and avionics system. 

According to an official of the CCECC, advance techniques and professional experts will be deployed into the upgrading so that the condition of Allama Iqbal International Airport will be improved significantly. 

The implementation of the project will further expand external connectivity window of nation. Meanwhile, it is also expected to promote local employment and economic development as well. 

The question to be asked, however, is that if the PIA was mandated to carry out repair, maintenance and upgradation of runway or airport building or it’s the domain of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).