PIA’s apex union asks govt to appoint apolitical head

Also requests revision and revival of the 1993 open skies policy.

KARACHI: A confederation of unions of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Tuesday welcomed prospect of a stable government but appealed that it should bring stability in the national flag carrier, which has seen 12 organisational heads in the last 13 years.

“You cannot run a professional and sophisticated organisation by changing its head so frequently on the whims of the rulers,” said a statement issued by the Joint Action Committee of PIA Employees (JACPIAE).

Most painful aspect of changes was that political affiliation was rewarded over merit, it said.

JACPIAE also asked the new government to review and revive the 1993 open skies policy to help promote domestic aviation industry.

“PIA can regain its lost glory with merit based appointments from top to lowest level.” The new government would have to appoint a competent head who should possess the skills and the commitment to take it out of troubles, it added.

“Newly elected government should refrain from appointing non professionals as the airline needs an aviation expert with both financial and marketing background, who has the ability to cut costs, improve efficiencies both in the operational and marketing fields.”

He should be free of any political influence and could execute difficult but right decisions without fear, it said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2013.

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