Déjà vu: PM’s aviation aide resigns

Shujaat Azeem says SC restrictions prevent him from taking any decision

Pakistan's embattled aviation czar Shujaat Azeem resigned as the special assistant to the prime minister on aviation on Monday, citing work restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court as his reason.

The top court barred him from participating in the affairs of the aviation division last week in response to a petition filed by the pilots' union against his appointment.

"He [Azeem] has submitted his resignation to the prime minister," a spokesman for the aviation division confirmed. It came "in the wake of the observations of Supreme Court restraining him from taking 'any independent decision with regard to matters of aviation division," the spokesman said.

The spokesman added that the way court's observations were being interpreted by "various vested interests" was coming in way of his duties. "Shujaat Azeem will submit a full defense privately through his counsel. The court case will be defended and the allegations made against him vigorously contested."

This is not the first time Azeem has resigned. He had to leave the same office in 2013 as well after the Supreme Court raised concern over his dual nationality and history of being court-martialled.

His move also comes at a time when the government is embroiled in a tussle with labour unions of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) over its privatisation.

Azeem has been instrumental in arranging government funds to finance the induction of 16 aircraft in PIA's fleet since the PML-N government took office in 2013.  Never before has the airline included so many planes in a span of two years. He was also able to woo prominent Karachi businessman Nasser Jaffer to head the airline’s board.

Despite this, he has been criticised by many aviation officials, especially for constant interference in the affairs of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and PIA.

PIA unions are particularly against Azeem because of his unyielding behaviour while people close to him say that he is demanding and does not tolerate ‘laidback’ attitude.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2015.