The Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases has approved amendments to the Pakistan Airports Authority Act, 2023, to address concerns raised by international aviation bodies and align the law with global standards.
The approved amendments include expanding eligibility for the appointment of the Director General of PAA to private-sector professionals, introducing conflict-of-interest provisions and cooling-off periods, and correcting drafting errors. Provisions for board decision-making through circulation in emergencies have also been added.
The draft Pakistan Airports Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, vetted by the Law and Justice Division, will now be submitted to the federal cabinet for final approval before introduction in the National Assembly.
Officials told the committee that earlier legislation concentrated regulatory, service provision and accident investigation functions within a single authority, a structure criticised by the International Civil Aviation Organization, European aviation regulators and the UK Department for Transport.
Under reforms enacted in 2023, regulatory oversight rests with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, airport operations are handled by the Pakistan Airports Authority, and accident investigations are conducted by a separate bureau. However, gaps remained in the Airports Authority Act.
