Flying high : PIA to resolve flight delays, says federal ombudsman

Launches facilitation desk for overseas Pakistanis

PESHAWAR: Federal Ombudsman Salman Farooqi said PIA will eliminate its shortcomings and the issue of delayed flights would be addressed soon.

While inaugurating the desk for overseas Pakistanis at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA), Farooqi said matters were discussed with PIA after several complaints poured in about the national carrier.  He added all matters would be resolved by December 2015.

He told the media that a number of complaints were registered against federal departments, adding that over 95% of about 175,000 complaints were tackled over the last two-and-a-half years.



Farooqi said matters were reviewed with the top brass of the relevant department and complaints were mostly resolved within 60 days. The ombudsman said complaints of overseas Pakistanis prompted the establishment of a facilitation desk.

“We want their problems to be resolved instantly at one desk and under one roof,” Farooqi said. He added all departments were contacted and their suggestions will be taken into account to reach an appropriate solution to the problems. He revealed the number of complaints at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports were addressed after desks were established.

“Problems faced by overseas Pakistanis will be dealt with in the same manner at BKIA,” Farooqi said. “A desk would soon be inaugurated in Quetta in the near future.”

Farooqi disclosed that 30,000 complaints registered in K-P had been resolved. Representatives of all the agencies lauded the establishment of the desk and assured their complete support to minimise problems of the passengers.

Peshawar’s Collector Customs Qurban Ali added his department was an integral part of the airport.

Muhammad Younas Khan, a passenger travelling to Saudi Arabia, said the problems of the past had been reduced and customs and ANF were kind enough to clear baggage without delay.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2015.