Pakistan did not attend the inaugural day of a regional aviation security conference in the capital despite having confirmed its participation earlier. In fact, well-placed government aviation sources said that Pakistan caused a great deal of confusion about its participation.
Whether this absence has anything to do with the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan episode (wherein the Pakistani musician was detained at the New Delhi IGI airport for alleged non-disclosure of foreign currency) is not known.
Pakistan had been invited to the conference well in advance by India which was hosting the event under the aegis of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). “Pakistan initially said that two of its representatives travelling from Pakistan will attend. Later, they said that plans had been altered and two representatives instead from the Pakistan high commission in Delhi will attend. That was also agreed to.
Later again, they said that the two representatives visiting from Pakistan will attend. Finally, no one from Pakistan turned up,” said a source.
It is unclear whether Pakistan decides to attend the remainder of the five-day conference that culminates on Friday.
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Centre for assessment of security
Age Correspondent
New Delhi
Feb. 14: The government is undertaking a fresh assessment of airport security in the country, is revamping security organisations in the aviation sector and has also commissioned a study by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for suggesting improvements in aviation security, the civil aviation ministry said on Monday. The assessment, when completed, will be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the necessary changes and improvements are implemented.
Recognising air cargo as the “most sensitive area around the globe”, the government has also undertaken an audit of cargo and aviation screening systems. The civil aviation ministry also stated that no final decision had been taken on introduction of body scanners at Indian airports.
Speaking at a regional aviation security conference, civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi said the aviation sector is seen as a soft target of terrorists and reiterated the government’s resolve to continue to regard aviation security as a top-most priority. He is likely to soon meet finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and press for an allocation of more than `2,000 crores for cash-strapped national carrier Air India.