ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The non-operation of 10 airports across the country, including Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot, has cost the national exchequer millions in annual expenses.
The revelation emerged after the Ministry of Defence presented the documents in the National Assembly in response to MNA Sophia Saeed’s query.
As per the document, Rawalakot Airport ranked second in terms of cost, with 10 in-service officials drawing Rs1.732 million in salaries in the last fiscal year.
Similarly, nine in-service officials of Muzaffarabad Airdrome, located in the capital of Azad Kashmir, were paid a total of Rs 1.646 million annually.
According to the details, the other non-operational airports are located in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Khuzdar, Parachinar, Jiwani, Ormara, Sehwan Sharif, and Sibi.
In total, a staff of 2 officers and 65 personnel have been deployed at all 10 non-operational airports, and they were paid more than Rs12.5 million per month in terms of salaries during the fiscal year 2023-24.
As per MoD documents, Khuzdar was closed in 2002, Muzaffarabad in 2006, Rawalakot in 2006, Bannu in 2002, Parachinar in 2002, Jiwani in 2004, Omara in 2010, Sehwan Sharif in 2010, Sibi in 2010, and Dera Ismail Khan in 2021.
Despite the complete halt of activities, including cargo operations, these airports continue to draw on public funds for staff salaries and maintenance, raising serious questions about resource allocation and oversight.
