PIA is a victim of political appointees placed at the helm to supposedly drive the airline out of the pits of disgrace
LAHORE: This is with reference to your editorial “Life support for PIA” (March 1) about the government’s announcement at the end of its tenure of a Rs100 billion bailout package for the national carrier, without putting into place instruments for change, such as a qualified management with integrity to ensure that this taxpayer-owned airline is no longer abused by any government, its corrupt cronies or its powerful surplus employees. During the past five years, PIA was a victim of political appointees placed at the helm to supposedly drive the airline out of the pits of disgrace. Instead, cronyism, nepotism, groundings, delays, controversial procurement deals, more political appointments and the fleecing of Hajj and Umra pilgrims took place.
An organisation reduced to only ensure the welfare of its surplus staff, which is least interested in serving its clientele, with a crew and fleet utilisation far below the industry average, should not qualify for repetitive dole-outs from the cash-starved state exchequer. Since 2008, under the watch of this very government, PIA’s liabilities have exceeded Rs180 billion, its accumulated losses jumped from Rs42 billion in 2008 to Rs150 billion by December 2012 and its lucrative routes were given to foreign airlines in violation of all bilateral agreement norms.
Muzammil Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2013.
