PIA files lawsuit over Boeing deal claims

Transparency Int’l Pakistan, newspapers accused of maligning airline.


Our Correspondent March 21, 2012

LAHORE:


Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has filed a lawsuit against Transparency International Pakistan and several newspapers in the Sindh High Court for their “malicious and baseless campaign” regarding the company’s purchase of five Boeing aircraft, said a PIA spokesman.


Transparency International Pakistan and the 16 other respondents had tried to malign and defame PIA by claiming that the aircraft deal was suspect, violated procurement laws or had not been approved by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), said the spokesman.

The PIA spokesman said that airline representatives had repeatedly rebutted the allegations and shown them to be incorrect. He said that the PIA managing director had given testimony about the purchase before the Senate Standing Committee of Defence and Defence Production, which had “appeared to be satisfied” with the deal.

The plaintiff alleged that Transparency International Pakistan had tried to harass and malign PIA by approaching the National Accountability Bureau and by causing such news to be published in several newspapers. The airline sought a permanent injunction against TIP and the other respondents to refrain from claims that the deal was suspect.

The case is to be heard on March 29.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2012.

COMMENTS (2)

A. Khan | 12 years ago | Reply

I have more faith in Transparency International than anything PIA or our government can come up with.

And why is PIA filing the lawsuit ? It should be the individuals who have potentially been libelled. And to file a lawsuit in Sindh High court is laughable, given the way our courts operate. Do this where TI is based (Germany or Switzerland).

Amjad | 12 years ago | Reply

All I know is I travelled on PIA this month and the service was great! Keep up the good work PIA and ignore the critics.

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ