QUETTA: Federal Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday underlined the need for making Quetta Airport more busy and improving air connectivity in the province.

“More private airlines shall also start air operations from Quetta,” he said during his visit to Quetta Airport here.

The aviation minister reviewed the facilities of Quetta Airport passengers and issued orders to improve them further.

He was informed that the national airline, PIA, was operating flights to Quetta from three major cities of the country: Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

“A private airline is also operating three weekly flights from Islamabad,” he was further apprised.

The aviation minister said, “It is our national responsibility to connect remote areas of the country with air connectivity.” He also called upon all other private airlines to include Quetta in their flight operation.

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Earlier, the Civil Aviation and PIA officials gave a briefing to the minister on his arrival at the airport.

On September 16, Khawaja Saad Rafique said that efforts were afoot to restore railway services in order to provide maximum facilities to masses in the country, especially flood-hit Balochistan.

These views were expressed by the minister while inspecting the damaged Hirok Railway Bridge.

On this occasion, Railway, NLC and FC officials were also present as the minister lauded the hard work of Pakistan railways’ staff which was working day and night to repair and restore the system.

Besides, the concerned officials briefed the minister about the affected sections of railway and the progress being made in the repairs of damaged tracks.

Khawaja Saad Rafiq said the Hirok Bridge, built in British era, was washed away in recent flash floods which caused suspension in railway services.

It is pertinent to mention, here, the collapsed bridge is located between Kolpur and Mach at Hirak in Bolan valley.

Meanwhile, the minister asserted that the relevant staff and engineers must ensure to work in double shifts for the reconstruction of the damaged bridge as the suspension of the bridge had brought railway operations of the province to a point of standstill.

Moreover, Saad Rafique directed officials to keep him timely informed on timely about the progress being made in the repair work.