Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has stressed the need for improvement in services of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to make it a world-class airline. The minister expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of special committee formed by the ECC to supervise reforms of PIA here at Planning Commission Secretariat Saturday.
The meeting was attended by Privatisation Commission Chairman Muhammad Zubair, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Tariq Bajwa and Secretary Civil Aviation Authority. The minister directed the authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan of two years by 26 January for PIA restoration, which will be presented to the Prime Minister for approval.
Ahsan Iqbal said clear and shared vision, strict adherence to merit, focusing on human resource development, accountability, focus on core functions and customer service are essential elements to make PIA a world-class airline. He said it is the last chance for employees and management to fix and turn around PIA because PIA can't be allowed to become another "Steel Mill." The airline has strongest fundamentals yet it has become a loss making machine due to mismanagement and politicisation in the past.
He said without clear roadmap and business model, no effort will succeed. Accountability at all levels should be made compulsory and performance must be measured continuously.
Ahsan Iqbal said 2017 will be the year of revival for PIA, adding financial health of PIA will improve, besides improvement on all fronts. He said tangible outcomes are required and there is need of 'fleet to service' master plan.
He said that PIA can't be run as a government department. He said that loss making routes will be given attention and more aircraft will be added to the PIA fleet. Customers should be brought back through better quality of service, punctuality and reliability, he suggested.
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