A special committee of the National Assembly for an in-depth study of PIA with the purpose of revitalising the organisation is on a two-day visit to personally review the airline’s operational and engineering areas for formulating their recommendations to be presented before the National Assembly.
The committee, headed by its chairman Syed Sumsam Ali Shah Bukhari, includes Members National Assembly Sheikh Salahuddin, Nosheen Saeed, Masood Abbas and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Besides, Masood Raza Effendi, additional secretary, Iftikhar Ahmed Mir, Joint Secretary Ministry of Defence and Mirza Mohammad Sanaullah, committee secretary, were also present.
The committee had a daylong discussion at the PIA Board Room regarding PIA affairs with Managing Director Nadeem Khan Yousufzai, Deputy Managing Director Salim Sayani and other directors.
A detailed briefing on Haj Operations 2011 was given by the airport services director, while matters concerning employees of the airline were briefed by Human Resources & Administration Director Capt Saleem Ahmed.
Later, addressing a press conference, the committee chairman said that the constitution of the special committee signifies that the government is giving the utmost importance to revitalising the national flag carrier and is greatly concerned about flight delays, grounding of the aircraft and restructuring of the airline.
The committee has members from major political parties and would seek guidance from technical experts and interview passengers to formulate a comprehensive report that would be submitted before the august house, he added.
He said that the committee had a detailed session with the PIA management and was satisfied on some of the matters explained by the PIA management; however, certain points need further examination.
The committee would suggest measures for improvement of PIA’s image both inside and outside Pakistan.
Besides, the airline needs new aircraft to replace its present fleet with financially viable equipments.
The committee would also interview the employees for better employee-management relations and would be acting as a bridge so that both management and employees could work hand in glove for the progress and prosperity of the organisation.