ISLAMABAD: Days after the national carrier’s flight PK-661 crashed near Islamabad, killing all 48 people on-board, PIA chairman Azam Saigol tendered his resignation from the post on Monday.
According to PIA spokesperson Danyal Gillani, Saigol tendered his resignation on ‘personal grounds’.
PIA temporarily grounds all ATR aircraft
The noted industrialist and member of PIA’s board of directors was appointed as chairman of the national flag carrier in May 2016.
Popular singer-turned-evangelist Junaid Jamshed, two Austrians, and a Chinese national were also on the PIA flight PK-661, which came down in the hills of Gagan, in Batolni village, some seven kilometres away from Havelian city, at around 4pm.
According to the airline, the plane was an ATR-42 turboprop aircraft, which lost contact with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Islamabad’s Benazir International Airport en route from Chitral.
Saigol had blamed engine failure for the deadly crash. “I think there was no technical error or human error,” he told a news conference last week. “Obviously there will be a proper investigation.”
Meanwhile, the airline temporarily suspended on Monday its ATR operation as a second aircraft reported technical issues shortly before it was supposed to take off overnight.
Takes courage. Politicians should learn from him.Recommend
I wish the PM learns something from him!!!Recommend
Well, he should have. This is blatant negligence on the part of PIA to continue running those aircraft which should’ve been written off years ago, and then to continue flying one with known engine issues is a major crime. PK661 is not an accident – it is murder, and those responsible should be brought to account. Recommend
After killing so many people including celebrity like Junaid he just resigned to save himself. He should be subjected for investigation and charges.Recommend
What next ? He will flew to some other country to save himself from any charges.Recommend
Well done. Now Saad rafique should follow him Recommend
What was he doing there in the first place? Did he possess any relevant qualifications or had any experience in airline industry?Recommend
And immediately after this resignation, it was oberved that DAWN news there were jibes at PML-NRecommend