It has been learnt that the government had mortgaged three airports of the country to borrow more than Rs900 billion in loans without consulting the aviation division, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Quoting sources, the channel reported that protesting against the Ministry of Finance’s step, Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan had conveyed his concern to the federal cabinet, saying that the ministry ought to have consulted the aviation division before taking such an important step.

Agreeing to the aviation minister’s viewpoint, Minister for Finance Shaukat Tareen not only apologized to him but also gave the assurance that concerned ministries would be consulted before taking step in future.

Sources told 24News that due to the budget deficit, loans of Rs1, 200 billion and $3.5 billion would be required in the next financial year (2021-22).

Meanwhile, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has also demanded compensation for mortgaging the motorways.

Reporter Owais Kiani