Dera Ismail Khan: Faisal Karim Kundi visited Dera Ismail Khan Airport and announced that efforts are underway to make the facility operational for commercial air services.
During his visit, officials of the Pakistan Airports Authority briefed the governor on the airport’s current status and future development plans.
Kundi thanked Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for his support regarding the airport and said that runway carpeting had been completed. He added that the remaining work would soon be finalised to make the airport suitable for ATR aircraft operations.
The governor noted that D.I. Khan Airport had been closed since 2015 and stressed the need to address shortages of equipment and staff. He also emphasised that a comprehensive audit and safety assessment were essential before the resumption of full operations.
Expressing optimism, Kundi said he hoped the defence minister would soon announce the restoration of commercial flight services. He added that discussions with South Air officials would include potential flights to Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral. At the same time, efforts would also be made to encourage private airlines to expand operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The governor further revealed that a proposed Greenfield International Airport would be built on more than 1,700 acres of land and would have the capacity to serve over one million passengers annually. He stated that relocating the airport to Pezu, Lakki Marwat, or Bannu would not be appropriate, adding that a site near Yarik would be more suitable for the entire region.
Kundi also announced that work on the dualization of the N-55 Dera Paroa Road would begin soon, as the tendering process had already been completed.
Commenting on political issues, the governor termed restrictions on wheat as unjust and unconstitutional. He also made remarks regarding recent political developments and said that no draft of a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment had yet been presented. He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party carefully reviews all constitutional matters before offering recommendations.
