The reconstructed main runway of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has been formally inaugurated, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority.
Director General of Pakistan Airports Authority Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed welcomed Defence Secretary Muhammad Ali and Additional Secretary Qaiser Suleman upon their arrival at the PAA headquarters.
Pakistan Airports Authority DG Zeeshan Saeed gave a detailed briefing to the Defence Secretary regarding the newly reconstructed runway. Civil Aviation Authority Nadir Shafi Dar and Deputy Director General Luqman Rashid were also present on the occasion.
Defence Secretary Lt. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Ali cut the ribbon and inaugurated the newly constructed runway. According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, the runway was completed within a short span of 18 months without any delay or additional cost.
The defence secretary appreciated the quality of the Code 4F main runway, stating that it meets international standards. The first commercial flight is scheduled to land on the reconstructed runway on February 19.
With the completion of the project, large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 will now be able to land on Karachi’s runway 07L/25R.
Memorial shields were also exchanged during the ceremony. The special guest presented a shield of honor to Director General Pakistan Airports Authority Zeeshan Saeed, while Deputy Director General Sameer Saeed, Director Planning and Development Ghulam Abbas Sheikh, Airport Manager Adnan Khan and Project Director Zahid Ishaq were also awarded special shields of honour.