As the corruption case involving the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is pending in the Supreme Court, reports of favouritism in transfers and appointments at the national flag carrier’s UK bureau reveal more about the causes behind the airline’s dilapidated state.
Sources told Pakistan Today that postings and hiring at all levels – from the airline’s UK country manager to local staff – were made on political recommendations in violation of rules and regulations. In this regard, sources said that PIA Country Manager for UK Mansoor Mela was appointed at the request of his brother, federal minister Ghias Mela. Mansoor Mela is currently suspended over allegedly causing delay in the departure flight of President Asif Ali Zardari at London Heathrow Airport, but sources say that he is still working as the PIA’s country manager in the UK.
Moreover, PIA manager at Birmingham, Sultan Mir, has been appointed with the blessings of his brother Sabir Mir, a controversial former inspector of Punjab Police and now a stalwart of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Sabir Mir was also involved in the alleged recovery of a fake Kalashnikov rifle from Sheikh Rahseed’s residence at Lal Havali during the second government of Benazir Bhutto. PIA sources say that Sultan Mir has already completed his tenure, but is using his political influence to get another three-year term at Birmingham Airport. Reportedly, Mir is being backed by PIA Customer Services Director Mazhar Kiyani in this regard.
Similarly, Zulfiqar Ali Bijarani has been posted as PIA’s manager at Manchester following pressure by his uncle, Mir Hajar Khan Bijarani – a PPP MNA from Sindh. Zulfiqar Bijarani was lucky enough to be given an out-of-turn promotion as well as a foreign posting. Under PIA rules, promotion and foreign posting at the same time are not possible, but in the case of a blue-eyed officer, everything is possible. Thanks to the efforts by uncle Bijarani.
Last but not the least, PPP’s information secretary for its London chapter, Tanvir Agha, has been employed in the airline’s office at Heathrow Airport. Agha, with no prior experience of the airline industry, was accommodated on the recommendation of a senior PPP leader. A PPP source said that Agha was still working as the PPP’s information secretary.
Despite repeated attempts, PIA General Manager (Media) Sultan Hassan could not be contacted to comment on the issue.
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