Karachi airport runway to remain shut for three hours daily

KARACHI: The Pakistan Airports Authority has decided to close one of Jinnah International Airport Karachi’s runways for three hours daily to facilitate construction work.

According to a NOTAM issued by the authority, runway 7R/25L will remain closed from November 5 to 24, between 1pm and 3pm each day.

The closure aims to allow the construction of a new taxiway for aircraft.

However, the runway will remain available for VVIP or emergency landings during the closure period, the NOTAM added.

Earlier, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) uncovered a large-scale fraud at Jinnah International Airport, where high-value electronic consignments were being removed without filing goods declarations or paying Customs duties.

According to an FBR, the fraud was carried out by employees of a foreign-based ground-handling company, in collusion with certain importers. The company, which was also the custodian of goods at the airport, allegedly issued fake documents that allowed the removal of electronic items worth hundreds of millions of rupees.

Consignment worth Rs103 million seized

The operation came to light after credible intelligence prompted authorities to tighten checks at the airport. During this enforcement action, Customs intercepted a consignment valued at Rs103 million. It contained iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, PlayStations and memory cards. Officials said the goods were about to be moved out without duties or taxes when they were seized.

In addition, investigators found that two consignments had already been fraudulently cleared using fake gate passes. Following these discoveries, the Collectorate of Customs Airport Karachi registered two FIRs and arrested several company employees.