Millions spent on salaries at long-closed 10 airports, NA told

ISLAMABAD: A startling revelation has emerged from official documents presented in the National Assembly on Wednesday, disclosing that operations at 10 airports across the country have been suspended for years — some for over two decades — while staff remains posted, incurring millions in annual expenses.

According to documents submitted by the Ministry of Defence in response to a query from MNA Sophia Saeed, several airports have remained non-functional for prolonged periods, with no passenger or cargo operations.

These airports are located in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Khuzdar, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Parachinar, Jiwani, Ormara, Sehwan Sharif and Sibi.

Of these non-operational airports, Khuzdar airdrome has been closed since 2002, yet employees are still stationed there.

Similarly, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot airports ceased operations in 2006, while Jiwani shut down in 2004. Sibi airdrome has been inactive since 2010, but staff continue to receive salaries.

Good news likely for salaried class in the next budget

Despite the complete halt of activities, including cargo operations, these airports continue to draw on public funds for staff salaries and maintenance, raising serious questions about resource allocation and oversight.

In response to Sophia Saeed’s query about the number of staff members still assigned to non-operational airports and the operating costs borne by the government, the defence ministry informed that a total of Rs12.542 million was spent during the fiscal year 2023-24.

According to the ministry’s documents, Dera Ismail Khan is the most expensive non-operational airport to maintain, with two in-service officers and 24 officials, whose combined salaries amounted to Rs5.534 million last year.

Rawalakot Airport ranks second in terms of cost, with 10 in-service officials drawing Rs1.732 million in salaries during the same period.

The third costliest airdrome is Muzaffarabad, also located in Azad Kashmir, where nine in-service officials are paid a total of Rs1.646 million annually.

The remaining seven non-operational airports collectively employ 22 in-service officials, whose annual salaries total Rs3.628 million.