PIA, once the pride and symbol of Pakistan, has served this country well in 1965 and 1971 wars. It offered vital air link between former East Pakistan and West Pakistan and when hostile weather cut off northern area land routes; it served as life line which no other private airline was willing to provide. It is unfortunate that its success as an airline and attraction of foreign postings and lucrative job opportunities became an incentive for its downfall at hands of corrupt governments.
Every successive government from Ziaul Haq onwards abused this organisation by making political appointments in violation of merit and since controversial sale of brand new DC-10s and their replacement by old B747 whose hull life was almost exhausted, every fleet replacement plan and procurement of vital spare parts has been tainted with kickbacks and gross irregularities. Corporate ethics such as zero tolerance for conflict of interest, which were hallmark of AM Nur Khan’s tenure under ZAB, has been widely abused thereafter. PIA’s unlisted assets such as peak time slots at London Heathrow, JFK etc and its routes acquired over years of hard work are now up for grabs, although their value will be more than its listed assets. Its subsidiary, PIA Investment, owns Hotel Roosevelt and Hotel Scribe which were bought by revenues generated by airline. Can anybody justify why PIA Investment, owned solely by taxpayers of Pakistan, hold its Board of Directors meeting abroad and its accounts have never been subject to Auditor General of Pakistan’s scrutiny? PIA’s human resources have been decimated over the years and today its executive corridors are dominated by mediocrity, which is not capable to deliver. Could anybody imagine a fake degree holder retaining his job and getting promoted under AM Nur Khan, as they continue to flourish today?
When PIA’s epitaph will be written, remember that cronies’ names will be written as its undertakers. RIP PIAC.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore