PIA initiates inquiry against media adviser
Tenure extensions, advance salary received against carrier’s regulations.
LAHORE:
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) administration has rejected a demand for the advance payment of salary and other perks by its media adviser Tahir Khaliq, who had been provided an extension against the rules and regulations of the national air carrier. An inquiry against him has also been initiated on charges of misusing his authority for alleged nepotism.
Tahir was appointed during the last Hajj season to improve the airline’s public image. He was serving his third term when he demanded a three month advance salary and other benefits.
According to an official document, he was appointed by the PIA under pressure from the ministry of defence. The appointment was approved by the board of directors for three months and he was paid his salary in advance. At the end of this period, his job was extended for another three months and he was again paid in advance. His service was once more extended for six months, within 10 days of the new PIA MD Rao Qamar Suleman taking over. Tahir asked for an advance of Rs1.5 million for the extension. The new PIA MD, however, rejected the demand.
Sources said Tahir had been provided a number of benefits he was not entitled to.
PIA sources confirmed that while an inquiry had been initiated at the very beginning of his tenure for his alleged corruption, his benefits were increased and his tenure extended under political pressure.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2012.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) administration has rejected a demand for the advance payment of salary and other perks by its media adviser Tahir Khaliq, who had been provided an extension against the rules and regulations of the national air carrier. An inquiry against him has also been initiated on charges of misusing his authority for alleged nepotism.
Tahir was appointed during the last Hajj season to improve the airline’s public image. He was serving his third term when he demanded a three month advance salary and other benefits.
According to an official document, he was appointed by the PIA under pressure from the ministry of defence. The appointment was approved by the board of directors for three months and he was paid his salary in advance. At the end of this period, his job was extended for another three months and he was again paid in advance. His service was once more extended for six months, within 10 days of the new PIA MD Rao Qamar Suleman taking over. Tahir asked for an advance of Rs1.5 million for the extension. The new PIA MD, however, rejected the demand.
Sources said Tahir had been provided a number of benefits he was not entitled to.
PIA sources confirmed that while an inquiry had been initiated at the very beginning of his tenure for his alleged corruption, his benefits were increased and his tenure extended under political pressure.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2012.