ISLAMABAD: The chairman Pakistan International Airline Corporation (PIAC) has been asked to take necessary steps towards removing surplus and non-required staff to make it a viable commercial airline.

A three-judge special bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard the case related to the PIAC surplus staff.

The counsel for the PIAC filed a report showing action taken against the delinquent officials of the PIAC, including the list of pilots, who have been dismissed on account of holding fake academic documents and list of cases pending in courts, where stay orders have been obtained.

The chairman PIAC, present in court, said that to have these cases decided by the respective courts, he has approached the office of the Attorney General for Pakistan to assist the PIAC in having all these cases, filed by the employees in various courts, decided, particularly in which injunctive orders are operating and the same be vacated.

“Let the Chairman, PIAC take necessary steps for removing surplus and non-required staff to ensure that the airline is brought to a level to make it a viable commercial airline,” said the court’s order.

Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also filed a report giving comprehensive details regarding the employees’ “misconduct” and “crimes,” while performing their duties in the Authority.

He apprised the court that the prosecution against such employees have already commenced.

The counsel also said that challans have been filed in respective trial courts.

He further contended that witnesses named in the challans shall be produced.

The bench noted that normally the criminal cases are not seriously prosecuted by the government departments; therefore, mostly the delinquent employees get acquitted for the reason that no effective evidence is brought on record by the concerned departments.

The CAA lawyer contended that they would “vigorously” pursue all these matters and ensure production of best possible and quality evidence before the concerned courts.

He submitted the details of the action taken by the Authority on departmental side against some officials, including pilots, who have obtained fake licenses. He also spoke about the details of the cases in which injunctive orders have been passed.

The court asked the DG Authority to approach the office of the Attorney General for Pakistan to ensure that the cases before the Courts, particularly where injunctive orders have been passed, shall be properly pursued and dealt with to bring them to a logical conclusion.

The bench directed the DG CAA to file the report before the next date of hearing.

The case was adjourned for a month.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021