Fake degrees in PIA

PIA continues to be in the red for the past several years like many other public-sector entities in Pakistan

Besides those working at lower positions and cabin crew, 10 Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilots have also been dismissed from service after their degrees were found fake, the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation has been informed during a recent meeting. The committee Chairman, PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan, has, however, claimed he knows of a dozen employees with fake degrees still working with PIA. The issue of fake degrees in PIA has been in the news for the past several years.

While discussing the issue of fake degrees and dismissal of some of those recruited on the basis of fake documents, the parliamentary committee was of the view that PIA should have maintained uniform criteria in dealing with cases of fake degrees. The committee chairman demanded action against all those officers and board members who had appointed the people with fake degrees without verifying their documents.” PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Noor Abbas informed the committee that the cases of fake degrees had been divided into three categories. Of the 650 cases, 15 employees were called to record their statements before the committee. The committee reviewed the documents of 300 dismissed staff members. It was of the view that the dismissal of the staff after working with the organisation for long years was a bit harsh and the management should have shown leniency while taking action on the matter. The committee said the harsh action had caused distress to families of dismissed employees. The management should have been lenient with those who confessed their guilt but tough with those who refused to show even repentance.

PIA continues to be in the red for the past several years like many other public-sector entities in the country. The government, however, goes on providing them with bailout packages. This encourages employees to go on lining their own pockets without being the least bothered about the harm they are doing to the nation as a whole. Has our creed become, thou shall reap what thou hath not sown?

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2019.

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