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Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim has said that he was against the assignment of management of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to Indian company GMR, and that JP’s stand on this issue is still the same.

At a press conference at JP Office today, Gasim refuted rumours that JP’s view on the GMR issue had changed, and said that he would not remain with JP if the party changed its stand on this issue.

“JP will always be against allowing a foreign group manage the airport. I suppose circumstances can change, but I won’t accept it. I will definitely be against allowing a foreign group manage the airport, for as long as I live. The day that JP takes a different stand, I will not be a member of JP much less part of its leadership,” he said.

Gasim said that he had advised the President that he would want JP to to act in accordance with its agreement made with Qaumee Party, DRP and PA, in relation to the assignment of the airport to GMR.

“It would be a great loss to our nation, to lose Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It would jeopardise the income to the State, our security and our bilateral relations,” Gasim said.

In spite of these statements by Gasim, JP member and Transport Minister Dr Ahmed Shamheed has said that GMR should be allowed to proceed with the construction of a new terminal provided that they agree to the construction of a new runway. He has stressed at the same time, that the final decision on the GMR issue should be made by the government.