LAHORE: The main runway of the Allama Iqbal International Airport will be closed from Saturday (tomorrow) till Dec 11 for 12 hours a day to install latest Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT III-B to improve visibility during fog.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Pervez George told Dawn on Thursday that the work on installing ILS CAT-III-B had begun and the Lahore airport main runway would remain closed for 12 hours (8am to 2pm and 5pm to 11pm) a day from Aug 15 till Dec 11.

“A foreign team has been engaged to install the system,” he said.

The official said the CAA had taken all airlines operating from here on board and they agreed to reschedule their flights during the main runway closure timing. He said secondary runway would be completely functional for 24 hours a day.

A Gulf country has reportedly ‘gifted’ the ILS CAT III-B system to Pakistan.

The CAA says this system will enable flights landing on even 50 meters visibility. Hundreds of flights are affected every year in Lahore due to fog and there has been a longstanding demand to install the system.

Meanwhile, Grievance Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis Federal Ombudsman Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmad Khokhar on Thursday visited the Lahore airport and ensured that 12 special counters of different departments opened here last month, are functioning properly.

On federal ombudsman’s direction special counters of CAA, ASF, Customs, Overseas, Nadra, different airlines, protector of immigration, health and religious affair ministries and tourism were opened last month to facilitate passengers especially the expatriates.

Talking to reporters, Mr Khokhar highlighted the efforts and contribution of overseas Pakistanis saying overseas Pakistanis were living in 124 countries and contributing more than $18 billion to the economy.

He said the Grievance Commissioner Cell for Overseas Pakistanis had been set up to resolve their individual and collective problems here and abroad.

He said the special counters would help redress the grievances of overseas Pakistanis and others at airports.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2015

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