The KP government intends to build a new airport in Peshawar.

The province government is considering moving Bacha Khan International Airport to a safer spot away from populous areas and building a new international airport.

Soon, the first assignment will be completed and turned in to the provincial administration.

In this regard, Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud of the Peshawar Division chaired a crucial meeting here on Tuesday to plan preliminary tasks pertaining to the construction of a new international airport in Peshawar and the relocation of the current airport to a secure place.

During the meeting’s briefing, it was revealed that 2,500 acres of land would be needed to build a new airport for Peshawar. To do this, a suitable and safe area far from the city’s population must be chosen.

The meeting’s attendees concurred that the city is dealing with traffic, security, and population growth issues as a result of the current Peshawar Airport, making the airport’s relocation imperative.

The meeting took into consideration Mathani, Azakhel, Surizai, Mamo Khatki, Naaguman, and Bara Akakhel as potential sites for the new airport.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi and Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Syed Shahab Ali Shah will shortly get recommendations for choosing the best location following a thorough evaluation of these sites.

Speaking during the meeting, Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud of the Peshawar Division instructed the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar to establish a team headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) to choose an appropriate site for the new airport.

Officers from the Revenue Department, representatives from the Pakistan Airports Authority, and other professionals will make up the committee. They will evaluate several places in-depth, do the preliminary work, and provide recommendations.

In order to assess the decisions’ execution and the progress made in this area, it was decided that a follow-up meeting would be convened in three weeks.

In the context of the region’s development, urban facilities, and security, the officers attending the meeting described this initiative as extremely essential and emphasized the need to take coordinated and productive actions in this area.