PIA case: SC seeks explanation from concerned authorities
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, issued notices to concerned authorities to respond to queries till December 4.
The counsel for PIA Raja Muhammad Bashir confessed before the bench about losses incurred by the airline worth Rs119 billion and frequent flight delays.
The chief justice observed that national institutions were being destroyed and no steps are taken to act against corruption in PIA, Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills and other national level institutions.
He added that the bench has been waiting for a reply from the authorities since December 28, 2011 but to no avail.
On the suggestion of summoning the current PIA chairman in this regard, the airline’s counsel said that present management has distanced itself from the past setup and decided not to defend past “alleged wrongdoings”.
The chief justice responded, questioning whether the present management conducted an audit to trace those responsible for maladministration.
The court also mentioned a Transparency International (TI) letter which raised questions over PIA deals with other international airlines.
The apex court bench further inquired about new aircraft purchased on lease.
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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER CJ - pia is like sinking ship - drawned by it's captain - judiciary's action is certainly positive and we have to appreciate that our judiciary 'last ray of hope' has lately taken notice of mismanagement, plunderage and looting. How can we forget PIA's golden days while it's rating was top-10 in the world under chairmanship of late Air Marshal Nur Khan or before late Rafiq Saigal and after M. Nawaz Tiwana. A very strict accountability and severe punishments are mandatory if any one loyal to PIA and Pakistan wishes to rebuilt and reconstruct. The black days of Ziaul Haq and his imposition of MLR-52 in PIA can not be forgotten by any employee alive or dead, but the tregdy today is that MLR-52 is the first and last option remained to survive, either it is imposed by modification, reshaping by cosmetical democracy or ruthlessly and blatantly with double horse power it is reimposed. Believe, it or not - but think deeply and remember that period and working of employees. Today allegators and while elephants have captured the PIA in their dirty mouth - if any one wish to see PIA's aeroplane flying in the sky, he should think the applicability of poison of MLR 52
It is not the court's job to save PIA, they can let it rot, the question is, are we going to deliberate on the intricacies of whether this is in the court's mandate or not or are we going to let the SC at least try to save PIA.
When PIA was drowing, where were these technocrats who are now commenting on the court's jurisdiction? That's right, silent.
I am not sure what Supreme Court will achieve. To begin with Supreme court has talked about every thing and implemented nothing. Can't fix its own subsidiary courts does not leave us with great deal of confidence that it can achieve a lot in a institution which I define as PATHETIC INCOMPETENT AWFULL (PIA). PIA is sick suffering from TB where no anti biotic will and can work, its is resistant to all. Employees of this sick airline have no sense of loyalty to the country or its own customers who help pay their salaries. The best thing what can happen to this airline is shut it down or sell it off to someone who can kick it into shape. Shame on the management and Union of PIA.
@jibran @zaid...PIA have its own kitchens in Karachi and Islamabad. Jibran, someone has ill informed you,meal for the passengers is not even served to the officers and staff on duty.
@Jibran. They serve Baryani onboard. And I am not talking about the kitchen in the jet, i am talking the kitchen which are in different cities. It is delicious or not, this is not a matter. Some dish is delicious for you and maybe the same will be tasteless for me or someone else. It is the matter of corruption. If it is happening, it should be brought to the notice of SC and strict actions should be taken against the perpetrators.
@Iftikhar Khan:
Though courts are not panacea of every problem country has but still it is a ray of hope in a country where there is no law. Before criticizing, look back and see how many cases they have brought to light. If you have to criticize then you should do so on government, FIA and NAB which didn’t follow through on Supreme Courts verdicts as too many bigwigs are involved. Please learn to appreciate effort they are making to bring some order in the country.
@Zaid: It's not that delicious a food to consume on a regular basis, if that's what you wanted to know.
Frankly sir these are executive orders not judicial! read your job description and focus on that. Your job is to hear the case and give guilty or not guilty verdict and assign the appropriate punishments. For PIA case simply punish those who have done corruption simple as that. By the way, in case you don't know last eye witness in Wali Babar murder case has been gunned down, I think that would come under your job description! now would you close the case as 'lack of evidence' like your courts do in all the violent crimes cases? One more simple question we the helpless people have in our minds are, how many terrorists you have given capital or any other punishment? You the courts are the weakest link in already very chain of law enforcement-prosecution and judiciary. Police and prosecution with all there limitations, hazards do a much better job then you and risk and give their lives everyday. Thats how bad the situation is. May be you need to take suo motto notice onto yourself!!
I heard someone working in PIA as saying that " The meal/food prepared in the PIA kitchen for flights/passenger is being misused by the PIA officers. The same meal enjoy the families of PIA officers. I will request to ET to look into that matter and investigate this either this food is being taken away from the PIA kitchen to the officers' houses. I guess there will be millions dollars corruption involved in it.