PIA: Incoming chief sparks controversy

PIA employees blame Yousufzai for Friday’s baton charge against protesting workers at the Karachi airport.

KARACHI: Director-general (DG) civil aviation authority (CAA) Nadeem Yousufzai has been appointed the new managing director (MD) PIA, according to airline officials. The spokesperson did not confirm his appointment though.

News of Yousufzai’s appointment, however, has already sparked a controversy because PIA employees blame him for Friday’s baton charge against protesting workers at the Karachi airport.

An official of the Pakistan Airline Pilots Association added that Yousufzai was the man behind the baton-charge because the airport is under his jurisdiction and no police action is possible without his clearance.

Meanwhile CAA officials decided to oppose the expected appointed of the former MD PIA Aijaz Haroon as the new DG CAA.  If the government wishes to appoint a new DG, it could either promote the deputy DG or choose any senior official from the CAA, said an insider to The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2011.