Khursheed Shah points out ‘administrative irregularities’ in PIA

Says recruitments made on top positions in exchange of large pay-offs

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has pointed out what he described as serious irregularities in appointment of top officials on administrative slots in the Pakistan International Airline (PIA).

In a letter addressed to the aviation secretary, the opposition leader said this had come into the notice of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that in violation of rules and regulations of the PIA, recruitments have been made on top positions in exchange of large pay-offs.

While highlighting these irregularities, he stated that people on the top administrative positions had been hired who were dual nationals and above the age of 60 years.

These persons have been recruited on the top positions including chief executive officer, chief commercial officer, chief human resource, legal consultant and chief IT, the letter stated.

Shah pointed out that the senior officers in the organisation were available for appointment on these positions but they were ignored.



Instead of performing the duties, the legal consultant was doing the administrative job in the organisation, it said.

“Due to these administrative irregularities the hardworking officials are disappointed and the organisation is being led to devastation,” the letter added.

Khursheed Shah demanded the PAC should be briefed on this matter.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has already taken suo moto notice over the miserable financial condition of the national flag carrier. The SC appointed economic expert Dr Farrukh Saleem as amicus to submit terms of reference (TORs) for an investigation and to identify the reasons behind the national carrier’s financial crisis.

The federal cabinet last month had also given go-ahead for sale of 49 per cent shares (linked to flight operations and related management) of the PIA.

The national flag carrier was converted into a public limited company, the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), in 2016. As per the PIAC Act, 2016 the authorities are bound to conclude the privatisation process in the current month.



According to the privatization commission, a restructuring plan has been prepared for execution, which will outline separation of core and non-core businesses of the PIACL.