Pakistan

Distant dream: PM hopes to bring back PIA glory days

PIA has been provided $15 million for inducting 15 aircraft in its fleet on dry lease

Our Correspondent April 18, 2015

PIA has been provided $15 million for inducting 15 aircraft in its fleet on dry lease. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) labour union representatives on Friday, expressing his interest in reviving the national flag carrier to its “glorious” past.

In a meeting held at the PM House, the premier congratulated the Air League for taking the office of Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) and hoped the union would work towards improvements in the organisation.

The people of Pakistan, he said, expected the PIA employees to work hard for bringing back the airlines to the same level it enjoyed in the past. “A massive effort is required at the PIA to lead the national flag carrier towards progress and development.”

PM Nawaz said that every PIA employee should join hands with the government to revamp the PIA in order to make it a more responsive and a profit-earning entity. The PIA, he added, had a lot of potential for revival which can be harnessed with a consistent effort.

The PIA has been provided $15 million for inducting 15 aircraft in its fleet on dry lease, as equity in order to revive the corporation. Another Rs16 billion have been given to the PIA from the national exchequer as a bailout package.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (6)

M Saleem Chaudhry | 9 years ago | Reply As they say,if wishes were horses,the beggars will ride. Wish of P.M Nawaz Sharif to restore the glory of PIA, will remain a daydreaming till he appoints a really competent professional with integrity as head of this one of the prime national institution. What workers can do if there's rot on the top? It's high time to stop nepotism and cronyism and go for merit.

IMTIAZ SYED | 9 years ago | Reply Mountains of money could not improve PIA unless culture of corruption gives in. Who will travel by PIA when one's reserved seat is denied to accommodate a servant of a minster? Who will like to travel by PIA undergoing Reconfirmation Procedure non existent in other arlines? Visit to toilets in the planes is bad experience as the princesses hate to clean unlike other airlines. PIA fares are higher than other airlines for their inadequate service. The staff, most of them are insensitive only eager to serve the evil corrupt masters. Let PIA be taken over by non muslims who will inculcate forgotten Muslim Hospitality again.

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hm | 9 years ago | Reply Airline industry is the least profitable in the USA. Maybe PIA should also start charging $5 for headphones and $1.5 for a packet of chips on domestic flights. These US airlines take advantage of your enclosed space and rob you blind. But it's all business.

nomi | 9 years ago | Reply Yet another bailout package from my taxes due to inefficiency of the govt.

Lord of the Ring | 9 years ago | Reply Yeah bringing back glory by unleashing family friends and chamchas at the helm of this morbid airline

M A Mujeeb | 9 years ago | Reply Better privatize PIA as soon as possible.

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