QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court on Thursday issued show-cause notices to the PIA chief executive and senior Civil Aviation Authority officials for failing to appear despite personal summons.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barich, along with Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, expressed firm displeasure over what it described as the officials’ disregard for public grievances and repeated judicial directives.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Quetta Chamber of Commerce Vice President Akhtar Kakar, who argued that residents and businesses were suffering due to limited air connectivity and sharply rising ticket prices on routes linking Quetta with other parts of the country.
Chief Justice Barich remarked that public problems were not being taken seriously, noting that the senior aviation officials had ignored earlier instructions to explain reduced flight operations to Balochistan.
The Additional Attorney General and PIA’s legal representative apologised for the officials’ absence and assured the bench that they would attend the next hearing.
In his petition, Kakar said that while five airlines operate nationwide, only two provide limited services to Quetta. He added that there are no direct flights to Gwadar, Turbat or Zhob and accused the airlines of acting in concert to drive up fares, which he said have risen repeatedly due to the lack of competition.
Petitioner’s counsel Dr Pervaiz Khan told the court that a deteriorating security situation has closed most bus and train options, leaving citizens dependent on air travel. He said people travelling for medical treatment, education, business or employment are facing ticket prices that have become impossible for ordinary travellers and traders from remote districts.
The court has directed the aviation officials to submit their responses at the next hearing.
