PIA losses were Rs 157 billion on November 30, National Assembly body told

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) losses were Rs 157 billion on November 30, 2012 with Rs 52 billion fleet and Rss105 billion non-fleet losses This was disclosed by the PIA management here on Monday during a briefing to the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance. The management of the PIA faced severe criticism, during the meeting from members across the political divide, on hiring of people with hefty packages and giving contract to a hotel at higher rates in London.
Managing Director PIA, Muhammad Junaid Younas briefed the committee about the future plan of the national flag carrier and reason for losses. He claimed that the PIA was running in profit for three consecutive months. The Committee sought a detailed report from the Management within 10 working days on hiring of former Deputy Managing Director PIA Saleem Siani at a hefty monthly package of US $20,000 when national flag carrier was suffering huge losses and was demanding billion of rupees bailout packages from the government. To a question about the losses during the Hajj operation, the Managing Director PIA said that major reason was old and inefficient fleet of the national carriers.
However, the meeting was informed that the Shaheen Airline, which also operated during the Hajj season and lifted both the government and private hajjis did not suffer any loss. The committee members were shocked to learn that Shaheen Airline was operating with 125 people per aircraft as compared to 485 people per aircraft by PIA. To another question, the Managing Director said that decision had been taken that no fresh appointment would be made against vacant posts of retired employees from January 2013 onward.
The meeting was also informed that currently 37 percent airplanes of the PIA are grounded for checking and would start operation from January 2013. The Managing Director of the PIA said that some planes would be acquired on lease from next fiscal year to strengthen the fleet. He said that Ministry of Defense had finalized the inquiry report regarding hiring of a former senior official on hefty monthly package of $20,000 and action would be taken against those responsible for hiring him. Deputy Secretary Defense informed the Committee that there were 22 airports in operation but only six of them were running in profit.