ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence on Monday expressed serious concern over inflated airfares on flights to Quetta and directed the Ministry of Defence to devise a fare-capping mechanism to protect residents of Balochistan, while also pressing for the early restoration of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Chitral, citing strategic and public interest considerations. The committee, chaired by Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, met to take up matters of public importance referred by the House, including excessive airfare on the Quetta route and the suspension of PIA operations to and from Chitral. The meeting was attended by Senators Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Umer Farooq and Atta-ul-Haq. While welcoming the privatisation of PIA, the committee appreciated efforts to inject fresh capital and professional management into the national flag carrier. The chairman said governments were not meant to run commercial enterprises and noted that privatisation would save substantial public funds previously spent on repeated bailout packages. He expressed hope that PIA would now be run efficiently and regain its lost stature. The committee expressed concern over the suspension of flights to Chitral and was informed that the disruption stemmed from a shortage of operational aircraft, with only two ATR planes currently serviceable. Officials told the committee that following privatisation, priority was being given to repairing grounded aircraft, including ATRs, to restore connectivity on the Chitral route. Secretary Defence assured the committee that recommendations were being conveyed to the privatisation consortium to revive the route, adding that improved tourism in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with coordination between the Green Tourism initiative and the Ministry of Defence, could enhance route viability. He also briefed members on proposals to introduce chartered helicopter services and integrate Chitral flights with chartered operations. The chairman strongly recommended increasing flight frequency to Chitral, urging the initiation of at least one to two weekly flights, and stressed that certain air routes were strategic in nature and should not be judged purely on commercial profitability. Taking up the issue of inflated fares on the Quetta route, committee members voiced serious reservations and highlighted the hardship faced by residents of Balochistan due to excessive ticket prices. While officials explained that airfare was generally determined by market supply and demand, the Secretary Defence assured the committee that a fare-capping mechanism would be developed in line with the committee’s recommendations. The committee also pointed out deficiencies in existing airport protocol arrangements and called for improvements. Authorities assured members that separate counters would be established and the protocol system streamlined. The chairman directed that facilitative provisions be incorporated into airline agreements to prevent fare exploitation and safeguard public interest. Additionally, the committee discussed the short validity period of airport passes and the poor condition of airport restroom facilities, urging the Pakistan Airports Authority and relevant stakeholders to upgrade services to international standards. Members were informed that the federal cabinet had approved the outsourcing of services at three major airports to improve passenger experience. The chairman directed that the validity of airport passes be extended from one year to two years to reduce inconvenience. The committee also received an in-camera briefing on the security situation along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border and on the recently signed Defence Cooperation Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, appreciating the progress and urging continued parliamentary oversight. Members further called on the federal minister for defence to regularly attend meetings of the standing committee. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026