KARACHI - PIA is in the process of establishing Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Flight Academy in Benazirabad. It is being established with the aim of producing exceptional commercial pilots who will make professional cockpit crew for PIA and other airlines, said PIA spokesperson. He further added that President Zardari will inaugurate Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Housing Scheme for PIA staff employees during his visit on 25th December. The training academy will not be inaugurated on 25th December 2010 as reported in press, says a press release. PIA will use modern training aids such as simulators, computer based training, models and actual aircraft instruments for training purposes. He added that the training academy will be functional as soon as the maintenance hanger is completed. Moreover, all the engineering facilities will be shifted and available for the Academy. Until then, the flying operations will be undertaken from Karachi. This Academy is a part of the process undertaken by government for the development of Sindh and its people. It is being politicised by the opponents because it is named after the great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. This is the reason; the airline is facing hurdles in establishing the academy in Benazirabad, Sindh. It is pertinent to mention here that the airport in Benazirabad has always been designated as alternate airport by PIA and other major airlines. "Two Cessna 172N aircrafts have been acquired from PAF through Ministry of Defence in a transparent manner, through legal tender procedures approved by Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and TIP. PIA has saved foreign exchange by acquiring these aircrafts from within the country. from the best available and professional organisation i.e PAF. Acquiring two more well maintained aircrafts from PAF is also in process," said spokesperson PIA. Moreover, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has been cooperative and helpful regarding the maintenance work done on the aircraft. The training will be conducted by PCAA certified flight instructors. Further more, PIA is now starting flight operations as a flight school, PAF was approached through Ministry of Defence, to acquire these aircrafts after doing multiple inspections. These aircrafts will operate when certified by Airworthiness division of PCAA.