PM takes strong note of persistent traffic jam on airport road
By Uzma Babar

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday taking strong note of the persistent traffic jams in the vicinity of Islamabad International Airport causing innumerable problems for the commuters, has directed immediate measures to ease the traffic flow.
The main airport road experiences huge traffic jams particularly on Sunday, Monday and Friday mornings owing to the arrival and departure of around 14 international and domestic flights that touch down or leave the airport in a short span of time.
The Islamabad airport remains closed for all flights from 2100 hrs to 0500 hrs daily as the airport runway is being re-carpeted and it might take quite some time till the completion of the project.
The limited parking and passenger handling capacity is also a security threat, for possible terrorist attacks, a source at the Ministry of Interior said.
Following the complaints, the Prime Minister Secretariat has issued a directive to the Secretary Ministry of Defence, Secretary Ministry of Interior and Chairman Pakistan International Airlines, Home Secretary Punjab, Director General Civil Aviation Authority to look into the matter immediately and submit a report to him within one month.
Civil Aviation Authority has been asked to consider shifting arrival and departure timings of international airlines either before or after the 0500-1100 hrs slot to stagger the air traffic and ease handling.
The SP Traffic Rawalpindi, Chief Security Officer of ASF, CAA Airport Manager and PIA Station Manager has been asked to remain present during rush hours to oversee the arrangements personally.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police Rawalpindi may work out a plan within one month for smooth flow of traffic and the public be apprised about the changes through the media. ederal Secretary Ministry of Privatisation & Investment and senior officials of PC and BOI were after also present on this occasion.