QUETTA, PAKISTAN:
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has taken serious judicial notice of the persistent issues surrounding the scarcity of flights and the exorbitant pricing of tickets for the provincial capital, Quetta. During a crucial hearing, the court ordered the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to submit a detailed report to investigate the factors behind the flight shortages and inflated fares.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Rozi Khan Bareech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, presided over the case, which addresses a matter of significant public interest. The court expressed strong concern that citizens in Balochistan are facing considerable hardship due to limited connectivity and high costs, which impacts their fundamental rights to freedom of movement and access.
In a key development during the proceedings, the BHC issued show-cause notices to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the national airline (PIA) and officials from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The court showed deep displeasure over the officials’ failure to appear in person despite having been summoned. In response to the judicial censure, the Additional Attorney General and the counsel for the national airline offered an apology to the court.
The report sought from the CCP is expected to shed light on the mechanisms governing airfare pricing and the specific reasons contributing to the reduced frequency of flights to Quetta. This judicial intervention underscores the necessity of accountability from authorities concerning the transportation challenges faced by the people of Balochistan.
