NA body told PIA's financial losses soar to Rs100bn

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defence was on Friday informed that financial losses of Pakistan International Airliners have swelled to approximately Rs.100 billion.

Chaired by Ghani Talpur, the meeting of committee was briefed that in 2010, the losses of the national flag carrier reached Rs.21 billion. It would further add Rs.516 million to airline's expenses as 3,400 daily wagers are going to be regularised following the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The committee was also informed that PIA had hired the services of a PhD consultant for elimination of cockroaches from PIA planes. Members of committee condemned the MD, PIA over his recent statement. He had stated that passengers must be grateful to the airliner as it had saved them from traveling on camels. MD Nadeem Yusafzai tendered apology to the members of the committee.

The committee was briefed on Haj operations carried out by PIA. The committee showed its concern over the poor performance of airline. The committee said that pilgrims had to face numerous problems in Madina and other holy places due to untrained staff.

The official of PIA informed the committee that the percentage of delayed flights was much lower than that of international flights.   He also told the committee that delay in landing at Jeddah airport was due to a shortage of immigration counters.

Replying to a question about the presence of lizards and cockroaches in some flights, the MD said that services of a PhD consultant were hired for their elimination. The committee directed the MD PIA to arrange a comprehensive briefing on PIA for the information of parliamentarians on Dec 23.