Will it ever be possible to revive the loss making, cash starved, burden on economy and half dead Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), and nepotism and non-transparent procedures eliminated, is the question upper most in the minds of dedicated employees who have nursed these organisations with their sweat and blood over the years of decadence.
The hurry which is being displayed by the government in revamping these PSEs may prove counter productive if the issue is handled in a disorderly manner. It appears a 'rough-and tumble' situation so far. The requirements which have been advertised appears to be defective in as much as one is at a loss to understand that in the absence of an independent boards of directors, who will check and certify the competence of those applying for the jobs. It was given to understand that the top appointments in PSEs were to be governed by independent board of directors who would eventually check the performance and keep an eye on the managements in their meetings regularly, at times on more than twice in a quarter. There are no changes so far in the respective boards.
Experts are of the view that PML N government in its first days has failed to impress as there are numerous appointments made by Prime Minister himself which have raised eye brows. Not only the non cabinet members but even the selection of cabinet has been criticised severely, ie the incumbent minister for petroleum is a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from University of California, Berkeley. He went on to study for a masters degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University, Washington DC, and has nothing to do with petroleum and gas replicating PPP government's mistake.
Similarly the induction in cabinet as advisor on aviation doesn't have any background on commercial aviation, experts do hail PM's decision to exclude Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from Ministry of Defence but the decision is overshadowed with the appointment of another pilot as advisor. During the last five years three commercial pilots and one air force pilot (former Air Chief) were appointed to head the national flag carrier.
The accumulated losses of 157 billion rupees, depletion of fleet, disgruntled human resource, haphazard schedules and nose diving credibility speak volumes of the appointments of three pilots with only one credential of having being known to top man of the country. The air force pilot, however, did try to fly smooth the airline but resigned after his health deteriorated. So in all three PIA pilots were given the wings of PIA but all of them were not competent enough to turn the airline around.
The sad part of the story is that after much trumpeted 'appointment on merit' as its manifesto slogan, the PML N besides putting all its energy on power crisis has made some dubious appointments in conflict with its manifesto claims. Aviation experts said: it is surprising that in the presence of some of aviation industry's bigwigs who have served PIA and are still worthy enough to advise the government, were not even consulted before forming a committee whose members do not have any commercial aviation experience. People like, Arif Abbasi, Khursheed Anwar, Air Marshal Daudpota and Air Chief Rao Qamar should have been taken on board.
The committee recently formed by the PM to over look the affairs of PIA is again missing the merit, with a pilot as advisor, and a member of the committee on ECL (pointed out by Supreme Court) and another member known for his involvement in some outsourcing by PIA, creates doubt in the mind of common man that not all is well.
A member of the committee, known for his involvement in a contract with PIA flight kitchen which caused a huge loss to national exchequer, experts questioned that even if the contract was not a failure his interest in PIA makes his appointment a conflict of interest. The same member of the committee is being tipped as next Chairman PIAC. If correct, this will be height of ignorance on part of the prime minister whose advisor is recommending a person who has direct conflict of interest with PIA.
The advisor and member of the committee is known to have business with Pervez Musharraf government, in his housing project and was supported by Shaukat Aziz, though nothing to do with his aviation background but what PML-N failed to understand was being in aviation is one thing and having commercial aviation experience is another, providing generators and stairs to airlines does not make you eligible for being an in-charge of aviation sector of the country.
The only relevant appointment in the restructuring committee seems to be of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a chartered accountant by profession. But aviation experts believe that it is the finance ministry which has failed to understand the need of quick approval of fleet replacement plan which got stuck there in last three years putting PIA at a disadvantage of being a public sector enterprise whereas its competitor within the country let alone the foreign ones, made quick and swift decisions and acquired aircraft as per their needs.
The only successful management which had the hand on pulse of PIA's ailing health, headed by former Air Chief, wanted to acquire Boeing 737-400 to augment its restructuring and revival plan on short and medium term basis. The move was shot down twice by the then Finance Ministry on the pretext of failing to address Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
The advice regarding possible privatisation which seems to have been given as the only option likely to attract criticism from employees as well as aviation experts as the national airline with huge importance to both countries' economy and defence will be given for peanuts in this condition.
Sources at joint action committee and other aviation experts believe that without operational turnaround at least (not financial) will improve the value of this national asset and the same could only be achieved with the help of a hands on, experienced and knowledgeable management.
Sources in aviation sector said that PM should refrain from taking such advice which in its early days will pitch the government against employees of PIAC who will not only get united against privatisation but will virtually jam the air traffic like they did in 2010 when PPP government was ill advised by its aviation advisors.
Similarly the rumours are that Group Captain Imtiaz (Retd) is being considered as Director General CAA, while there are no advertisements published so far for the post. This as well as PIAC Chairman will become a stigma for the ruling party as they will be contradicting their claims of transparency. The PML-N has been trying to keep itself at a distance from nepotism to show the difference between last five years and next five years, but eventually it is falling into the trap and making mistakes which PPP government made as well, stakeholders believe.
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