The 11th Developing-Eight (D-8) meeting of Aviation Chiefs' and Expert Working Group began in Islamabad on Monday to discuss challenges and prospects of future cooperation in this field.  

In his opening remarks, Adviser to Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan said Pakistan would extend full cooperation to international community for safe, secure, efficient and sustainable aviation systems.

He said enhanced connectivity and sustained growth can be achieved in D-8 countries by maintaining high standards of safety, security and efficiency.

Sardar Mehtab emphasized the need for harmonizing safety regulations among member countries.

Deputy under Secretary Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications Turkey, Orhan Birdal said D-8 countries are geographically separated but the aviation industry removes the borders and opens wider gates of cooperation in all fields.

D8 Secretary General Syed Ali Muhammad Mousavi said the D8 forum aims to assist policy makers and stakeholders for making them aware with latest trends in the aviation and for the sustainable development of the industry.

Director General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Air Marshal Retired Asim Suleiman emphasized on strengthening cooperation amongst member states in all spheres of civil aviation.

Later, talking to media, Advisor to Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan said work is underway on five new airports out of which four will be made operational next year.

He said that new Islamabad airport will be made operational in the first quarter of next year. He said that the work on the connectivity roads will be completed by the end of this year. Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan said that work on Gwadar airport will be started next year. The Advisor said that significant development is being made in the aviation sector in the country.He said latest radar technology is being introduced in the country.