The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Thursday issued show-cause notices to the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and senior officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over their failure to appear before the court despite personal summons. The court expressed serious displeasure over what it described as the officials’ disregard for public concerns and judicial directives.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barich and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi was hearing a petition filed by Quetta Chamber of Commerce Vice President Akhtar Kakar regarding the lack of air connectivity and exorbitant airfare between Quetta and other parts of the country. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barich criticized the apparent indifference of authorities, remarking that “public problems are not being taken seriously.”

The court noted that despite earlier orders, neither the PIA CEO nor CAA officials appeared to explain the reasons behind reduced flight operations to Balochistan. The Additional Attorney General and PIA’s legal counsel apologized to the bench for the officials’ absence and assured that they would attend the next hearing.

In his petition, Akhtar Kakar argued that while five airlines are currently operating across Pakistan, only two offer limited services to Quetta, and there are no direct flights available for Gwadar, Turbat, or Zhob. He accused the airlines of collusive practices in setting high ticket prices, asserting that fares had surged multiple times due to the lack of competition and limited flights.

Petitioner’s counsel, Dr. Pervaiz Khan, informed the court that deteriorating law and order conditions had led to the closure of most bus and train services, leaving citizens with no option but to travel by air. “People are forced to travel by air for treatment, education, business, or employment,” he said, adding that the high ticket prices have made travel “impossible for ordinary citizens and traders from distant districts.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)