The Ministry of Aviation in Pakistan has issued a notification, stating that spouses of serving judges and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are now exempt from undergoing body searches at all airports throughout the country.
The ministry’s notification, dated October 12, conveys the pleasure of the Secretary of Aviation in granting this exemption. “Secretary Aviation has been pleased to exempt spouses of serving judges and Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan from body search at all airports.”
These directives have been issued to the Airport Security Force based on the Supreme Court’s instructions.
It is noteworthy that the implementation of a plan to install e-gates at three major airports in Pakistan has faced persistent delays over the past three years, despite the nationwide introduction of e-passport facilities, as mentioned by sources a day earlier. The proposed plan, crucial for expediting the immigration process, has experienced setbacks due to a lack of decision-making by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad were originally slated to receive e-gates for immigration, similar to those found in most developed countries.
Private Investors Call For Deadline Extension In Bidding For Solar Projects
Meanwhile, private sector investors, including M/s Atlas Power, Gul Ahmed Energy Group, and Metro Power Group of Companies, have urged the government to extend the deadline for bidding on solar power projects in Muzaffargarh by two months after the February 8 general elections.
This recommendation comes in response to Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) deciding to hold back on the clean energy project due to “uncertainty and lower credit rating of the country,” as reported by Business Recorder.
The government initially abandoned international competitive bidding after none of the 12 parties submitted bids, citing issues with the benchmark tariff. In April 2023, the government invited bidding via the Private Power and Infrastructure Board, seeking a levelled tariff for 25 years on a BOOT (Build, Operate, Own, and Transfer) basis.
