The committee on the performance of the national flag carrier observed that PIA's relevant authorities could not provide plausible answers to questions asked by the members committee in previous meetings. Chairman Committee Senator Mushahidullah Khan expressed his displeasure over the non-provision of required documents which the members of Committee had asked to provide.
However, irrelevant documents were provided by the relevant PIA authorities on the same day which showed a lack of responsibility and unprofessional management attitude, articulated the Chairman Committee. On January 26, 2016, the Committee directed the authorities to provide a comprehensive briefing along with all relevant documents with a particular reference to the ToRs of Special Committee by Aviation Division PIA and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Senator Sherry Rehman, with extreme annoyance said the required information has not been provided by the PIA and notices should be issued to the relevant people for not taking the committee seriously. The committee members requested the Chairman to take notice as PIA authorities are still unable to provide the required information. Senator Colonel Syed Tahir Mashhadi (Retd) while highlighting the powers of committee said that all the members of the committee are parliamentary leaders from different political parties and under the Constitution they are authorised to call upon anyone from the any department and can seek any document anytime.
He said the PIA authority is challenging the authority of the Committee which is not less than contempt of Supreme Court. Senator Saeed Ghani after going through the briefing stated that the briefing, despite being given a time period of one month, lacks the information which the committee wanted incorporated in the performance brief. Federal Secretary Aviation Division Irfan Elahi, the Acting Chairman PIA, while admitting that some of the information is missing as fair comparison could not be drawn. But, he added, the relevant PIA authorities in its last board of directors meeting constituted a two-member committee on the strategic plans for the future. He said the practice has recently been started thus its taking time to formulate plans as well as seeking right information from different departments.
He said PIA is generating revenue from the agents, available seats (km), and through strategies which are customer focused, operational and marketing. Responding to the issue of catering quality and taste raised by Senator Sherry Rehman, Irfan Elahi said that PIA has outsourced caterers which the procurement department handles, he said Pearl Continental, Ramada Hotel, Kitchen Cuisine, Hotel one, Zaghoon Catering and Denver hotel are few of the caterers. He said that these caterers get the contract in open bidding competitions, to which Sherry Rehman expressed her reservations.
Irfan Elahi said PIA is working to create independent strategic business unit which will acquire independent funds. Up-gradation of B777 business class seats are under process, A320 Engine, APU, L/G in-house repairs, refurbishment capabilities enhancement, induction of skilled manpower, technical handling of technology are the few future plans which PIA has formulated so far. He said as far as challenges are concerned, PIA is facing a stiff challenge from its competitors as well as a price war. Legacy loans, unions, lack of automation, Human resource constraints and schedule credibility/brand image as well as a decrease in yields/reduced revenue and deterioration product standards are the other challenges, which the national carrier is facing.
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