PIA requets SC to remove CEO's name from ECL

The national flag carrier has requested the Supreme Court to remove the name of chief executive officer of Pakistan International Airline Corporation Ltd (PIACL) from exit control list (ECL), as travel ban is limiting his mobility and affecting discharge of its functions.
The PIACL management on Friday submitted response in the Supreme Court in the airline's privatization case. It requested the court to issue orders to the authorities concerned to facilitate PIACL administration.
It prayed that the incumbent management be allowed to undertake and commence recruitment of relevant/appropriate officers, staff and employees to ensure efficient working, functioning and running/ management of the affairs of PIACL.
It submitted that restriction imposed regarding the authority or power of firing /dismissing employees may kindly be lifted / removed. It further prayed that members / representatives of senior staff association/union be directed to refrain from acting, working and propagating against the interest of PIACL and interfering with the working, functioning and management of PIACL.
It has further prayed that appropriate directives be passed by suggesting/instructing the courts to dispose of matter pending before them expeditiously and withdraw/set aside restraining/ stay order granted, interfering in the smooth and efficient functioning of PIACL.
The management may kindly be allowed to proceed with the execution and implementation of commercial decision regarding planned change in the livery and re-branding of PIACL, as approved by the Board of Directors, and adopt 'markhor' as a symbol of PIACL revival, new and fresh look, which constitute an integral part of transformation and turn-around strategy.
The reply said the new management took over PIACL at the time it was in extreme financial mess with myriad of operational deficiencies and serious breaches of the Companies Act in relation to not being able to produce periodic and annual finance statement 2016-17 on timely basis.
The response states that Pakistan's unfavourable circumstances have affected the national carrier. It further states that losses on most routes and excess of staff were the primary reasons that resulted in the losses of the airline.
It said most of the aircraft have been grounded since last year, adding that political interference and a largely de-motivated staff have added to the challenges faced by the national carrier.
It said PIACl's total loss has reached Rs406 billion, with a total of just Rs111 billion assets. The response states that the staffs of the airline lack the required experience and expertise.
"The airline is operating on the same pattern as government departments," the response said. It said the national carrier's business model cannot make it profitable, adding that the national carrier is facing a lot of hindrances in its efforts for improvement due to the presence of workers' unions.
The response claims that thirty percent improvement in the sale of tickets is because of the new administrative steps. It said PIACL's income increased by five percent in 2017, with an 8.5 percent improvement in income from cargo service.
It says the flag's placement was moved to the centre of the bodies of the aircraft, adding that a possibility to even consider removing the national flag from the aircraft did not exist.
On Thursday last, the court restrained the PIACL from changing logo of the national flag carrier and making new appointments except those of pilots. The court made it clear that an inquiry will be conducted into the huge losses suffered by the PIACL.
In light of a forensic audit report disclosing that PIA has suffered huge losses worth Rs360 billion over the last 10 years, the apex court has hinted that the matter would be referred either to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or a commission would be constituted to hold people accountable for current state of affairs of the national flag carrier.