ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman (NI(M) has invited the private sector to explore aviation sector which offered huge business prospects for them.
Addressing a dinner reception as chief guest hosted by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in his honor, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said that an aircraft needed components and parts from various industries and PAF wanted that local industry should enhance its role in aviation industry.
He said Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was procuring limited number of JF components and parts from the local industry and wanted that indigenous industry should meet its more needs that would also save precious foreign exchange of the country.
The reception was also attended by Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Spain and large number of representatives of business community.
The Air Chief said that the government and defense services were at the same page to ensure economic security of the country and nation should not worry about security of Pakistan. He said if coalition of 43 countries could not succeed in Afghanistan, they should not blame Pakistan for their failure.
He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) offered wonderful prospects for Pakistan and assured that the government was fully aware of the importance of preserving the local industry. He highlighted the role of PAF in combating terrorism in the country and thanked ICCI for hosting dinner in his honor. He assured that PAF wanted to further consolidate its relations with private sector to work together for promoting defense and economic interests of Pakistan.
Speaking at the occasion, President ICCI Khalid Iqbal Malik appreciated the initiative of Air Chief for encouraging private sector to enhance its role in the aviation industry. He said that private sector was interested in utilizing the idle capacity of PAF infrastructure for commercial activities and hoped that positive approach of Air Chief would help in realizing these objectives. He stressed that government should encourage private sector to set up manufacturing units in CPEC Special Economic Zones that could meet the needs of aviation industry as well.
Khalid Iqbal Malik lauded the efforts of PAF in synergy with other services for combating terrorism and establishing peaceful environment in the country. He hoped that such efforts would promote business activities, attract investment and boost the economy.
Senior Vice President ICCI, Khalid Malik thanked the Air Chief, diplomats and the participants for attending the event and hoped that support of Air Chief would help in carving out a way forward for private sector in the aviation sector.
Chairman Founder Group, Khalid Javed on behalf of business community presented a cheque of Rs.5 Lac to Chief of Air Staff for PAF educational institutes for providing free education to financially deprived children. Chief of Air Staff also presented a shield to Nasir Qureshi Senior Member of ICCI for donating medicines of worth 1.9 million to various bases of PAF in time of need.
