Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed for devising a comprehensive business plan to revive Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as a profitable institution. The Prime Minister said this while chairing a meeting held to review the ongoing reforms in PIA here on Tuesday. The Prime Minister said the national flag carrier was made a liability due to mismanagement and corruption for which taxpayers had to share the burden. Expressing satisfaction over the sitting PIA administration, Khan asked the chairman to evolve a comprehensive strategy to overcome losses being faced by the national flag carrier.
Briefing the Prime Minister, PIA Chairman Air Marshal Asad Mehmood Malik said that PIA is facing a cumulative loss of Rs 414.3 billion including loans amounting to Rs 247 billion and Rs 144.7 billion payable dues. PIA is facing also a deficit of Rs 500 million on seven international routes in addition to loss on domestic routes.
The Prime Minister was briefed in detail about the administrative, economic and other affairs of the organisation. He was also briefed about the steps taken to improve the performance of the airline.
It was told that 194 ghost employees, 73 cabin crew members and seven pilots have been removed on the basis of fake degrees.
The Prime Minister was further briefed why the PIA is facing fiscal deficit. He was told that in view of these losses, the current administration of the PIA is reviewing the routes for bringing some change.
The Prime Minister was also informed about the unavailability of necessary facilities and the dilapidated state of aeroplanes at some places as well as the steps taken by the current administration to overcome these issues. The Prime Minister was also briefed about the issues of human resources in the PIA.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Privatisation and Aviation Mian Muhammad Soomro, Air Chief Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Senator Faisal Javed, PIA Chairman Air Marshal Asad Mehmood Malik and others.
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