No change visible in PIA facing losses for 12 years

KARACHI: No change has been visible in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) which is facing losses for the past 12 years.

This was stated by the chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan.

He was talking to media here on Tuesday after chairing a meeting regarding the affairs of National Flag Carrier at its head office here.

Rana Hayat, MNA, was of the view that those responsible for causing financial losses to the PIA, should be `exposed'.

He further commented that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should not spare such persons.

Rana Hayat expressed `dissatisfaction' at the briefing given by the PIA management and maintained that no effective strategy was devised for the betterment of the national flag carrier.

The instruction given in the previous meetings were not implemented fully, he further pointed out.

He informed that with regard to air routes, it was decided that eight such routes would be given to other companies.

However, dozens of air routes were given against the interest of the airline.

Rana Hayat stated that the affair of Pakistan Railways have been streamlined and its revenue for the past years has risen from Rs. 18 billion and about to touch the mark of Rs. 50 billion. `However, there is no change visible in the PIA', he added.

He said that matter pertaining to the acquisition of A-320 planes on lease would be referred to the NAB by the Committee for inquiry `as there was a loss to the national exchequer', Rana Hayat maintained.

MNA Asad Umar was of the view that the PIA management could not present any effective strategy for the betterment of the air line.

MNA Perveen Masood Bhatti suggested that PIA should enhance frequency of domestic flights especially to Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur.

The Chief Executive Officer of PIA Musharraf Rasul said that every possible step is being taken to make the air line a profitable organization. Unfortunately, the airline is facing loss for the past 12 years and that there are a number of problems, he added.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Khalid Javaid Warraich, Ms. Shahnaz Saleem, Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir, Moulvi Agha Muhammad, Ms. Seema Mohiuddin Jameeli, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar and Rasheed Ahmad Khan.

The representatives ASF and Civil Aviation Authority were also present.