The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Air Marshal Arshad Mehmood Malik to continue as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL). The court expressed its expectation that the air marshal shall do well, and deliver for the national carrier.
The court summoned the management and the office-bearers of the CBA PIA to deal with the issue of workforce and various contracts issued by the PIA to various persons and entities. Arshad Malik has been asked to be in attendance in the meeting of the PIA management and office-bearers of the CBA held at the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard Air Marshal Arshad Mehmmod Malik's appeal against the Sindh High Court order that restrained him from performing functions as the CEO of PIA.
Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan appeared before the bench saying that though he represents the federation but in this case he was appearing as the chief law officer of the court to assist, so the matter could be decided in the right way. He informed that Air Marshal Arshad Malik had been appointed the CEO PIA through legal process.
He requested the bench to allow him to continue as the CEO as PIA had shown good result in the operation. The bench proposed that the larger issues of PIA may also be dealt with. The order said that the main issue, which is dragging PIA, is that of human resources, for employment in PIA is existentially plane wise, and this factor does not allow PIA to become feasible and a professional entity.
Therefore, this issue needs to be dealt with in the first place. The court noted that the second issue is the PIA awarding contracts of purchase or equipment and services with regard to the airline from person or entities who are not selected on merit, but it is surely done on the basis of favouritism on account of the political exigency, which is also deteriorating PIA's performance.
The court said that another issue is that PIA officers are transferred, which is not benefiting PIA. The bench in view of all these factors summoned the management and the office-bearers of the CBA to appear before the apex court to deal with the matter. The court had also sought full details of all the contracts awarded from the minutest to the highest level.
The report would inform about their utilities drawn by PIA and that which contract should be retained and which is to be revoked as not viable for PIA. The court directed the PIA management to submit report within one month.
In the last hearing, the bench had inquired from the incumbent CEO whether he likes to retain the post of the CEO of the national carrier or of air marshal of the Pakistan Air Force. Justice Ijazul Ahsan said if PIA had to run in a professional way then the government would have to take tough decisions. No political government in the past had the will to do so.
He said the government would have to bring legislation that hiring and firing power is to be used by the CEO. Bring highly qualified professional in the management and human resource department of PIA, Justice Ijaz asked the AGP. The chief justice inquired is there any possibility to call the office-bearers of the PIA unions, and make policy regarding lay-off.
"It will be very helpful and this way we will clear many hurdles," added the CJP. During the proceedings the court also discussed the issue of coronavirus outbreak. The bench noted that it has come in the country through airports and borders.
The chief justice remarked that the government is responsible for it. "The entire government machinery and the procedure are in disarray," said Justice Ijaz. The chief justice said that they know what sort of arrangements was made in Taftan where the people who came from Iran were kept. "From that place more disease [coronavirus] was brought into the country. We have been asked to close the courts."
The courts do not shut even in war-time. Justice Ijaz said the apex court has taken precautionary measures at the entrance gates. The court has also expressed concern over the video wherein it has been shown that the security staff at Karachi airport was beating the passengers. The chief justice remarked that they have noticed that security and the Customs officers at the airports extract money and humiliate passengers. He said airport is the hub of serious activities. The case was adjourned until April 18th.
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