Islamabad: the 9th July, 2026: NA Standing Committee on Defence Recommends the National Assembly to Pass the Pakistan Air Safety Investigation (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

It also offered Fatiha for the Shuhada of the Armed and Civil Armed Forces 

 

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence, chaired by Mr. Fateh Ullah Khan, MNA, convened today at Parliament House recommend that the National Assembly may pass the Pakistan Air Safety Investigation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This critical legislation rectifies statutory inconsistencies and administrative alignment issues stemming from the February 2025 merger of the former Aviation Division into the Defence Division. Prior to reviewing the legislative text, the Committee observed a solemn moment to offer Fateha for the martyrs (Shuhada) of the Armed Forces, paying deep tribute to their ultimate sacrifices in safeguarding Pakistan’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

The proposed amendment bill introduces vital structural updates and regulatory modernizations to maximize operational efficiency within Pakistan's aviation safety architecture. Under the new provisions, the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) is officially renamed the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation Pakistan (BASIP) to better reflect its nationwide mandate, while the bureau chief's designation is elevated from Director to Director General to match comparable national institutions. To seamlessly attract top subject-matter experts, the bill rationalizes post-employment rules by removing blanket restrictions on temporary or part-time staff, narrowing the focus strictly to regular employees and whole-time investigators. The legislation further introduces a proportionately reduced restriction period for short-term employees, empowers the Secretary of Defence to grant case-by-case waivers where no conflict of interest exists, mandates summary proceedings for all offences to ensure swift judicial disposal, and rectifies past technical drafting errors within the principal 2023 Act.

Beyond legislative updates, the Committee reviewed executive compliance with past parliamentary directives and advanced critical infrastructure and public welfare initiatives. The Members assessed the ongoing expansion projects at Skardu Airport, which include extending the existing terminal building and constructing a new terminal, and agreed to conduct a firsthand parliamentary site visit to monitor construction progress. Additionally, the Committee directed the Ministry of Defence to submit a comprehensive progress report by the next meeting regarding the establishment of free monthly medical camps for civilian communities residing near defence installations.