PIA's ostrich-like behaviour

It's easy to make a man confess the lies he tells to himself; it's far harder to make him confess the truth." Pakistan International Airlines is behaving like an ostrich instead of telling the truth to the people about the suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia from Friday April 18 in case outstanding dues are not cleared.
The case in point here is PIA's denial about the notice given to Pakistan International Airlines by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) that "no PK flights will be allowed to operate ex/to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from Friday April 18." PIA spokesman clarifying airlines position on the outstanding payment and subsequent notice from General Authority of Civil Aviation GACA Saudi Arabia is like burying one's head in sand and crying "all is well".
While the spokesman was busy in Karachi issuing denials, the management of PIA Jeddah was being grilled by GACA which after getting annoyed to full limit, has given a final warning up to Friday 2pm Pakistan time that if by then the long outstanding amount is not cleared all PIA Ops will be suspended into the Royal Kingdom.
A communication from PIA's country manager in Saudi Arabia to PIA management said, "Please note that GACA authorities have given clear instruction that if payment for GACA Invoice No 02-12-26-90033, dated: 18-November-2005, 17-Shawal-1426 for SAR 443160/- for landing/parking charges is not settled by tomorrow, PIA operation effective Friday 18-Apr-2014 will be suspended and no PK flights will be allowed to operate ex/to KSA."
The invoice mentioned was disputed by PIA but the royal authority President of GACA had issued orders that effective 17-APR-2014, operation of all airlines who have not yet settled their dues will be suspended at all airports of KSA.
As per sources The Director Air Transport - GACA who called the meeting showed his annoyance for not taking this GACA instruction seriously as they have already given deadline for the suspension of PIA Operation in case of non-settlement of GACA old dues but as of today GACA dues remain unsettled. It is worth mentioning here that last week after huge effort, we were able to convince Manager Scheduling-GACA who agreed to further re-instate PK flights in system but now situation is very critical and the authorities will not further extend its deadline. Due to this, GACA Officials are not entertaining any of PIA request pertaining to any change in slots timings or for additional Umrah slots due to its long outstanding payment issue.
On April 4 PIA Jeddah office had informed higher management that "Abdul Mohsin, Director Operation King Abdul Aziz International Airport KAIA called us for meeting and conveyed strict instruction of The President of GACA to KAIA Operation that not to schedule any flight of the airlines who have not yet settled their outstanding invoices of GACA. In compliance of this Presidency instruction, Abdul Mohsin informed that PIA flights are also being removed from KAIA System and will be fed after the payment of all GACA long outstanding invoices."
"Keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter and to avoid suspension of PIA operation ex/to KSA, we again approached Abdul Mohsin, Director Operation KAIA and gave written undertaking that within 02 all GACA outstanding invoices will be settled and payment will be released accordingly".
"Abdul Ghani after the written assurance given by PIA agreed to re-instate the PK flights till tomorrow only and in case of non-payment of GACA dues within the given time limit all PIA flights will be removed from KAIA system and no flights will allowed to operate ex/to JED"
PIA's country manager had further informed that: "since the outstanding invoices including parking and rental charges is covered under royal degree and its payment has to be made on must basis, it is therefore, strongly suggested that approval may be granted to JEDPK on immediate basis in order to avoid suspension of PIA operation to KSA." "Please accord priority to our above request to avoid any unpleasant situation/action likely to be taken by the GACA/KAIA authorities," he said.