The Musharraf regime seems to have embarked on a plan, to pull out the army from various civilian establishments, where job specifications demand relevant experience and professional qualifications.
This is evident from changes made in WAPDA and PCB.
However it is surprising that PIA has elevated three retired ex-servicemen, with hardly any worthwhile experience, to senior executive assignments, bypassing scores of more qualified and experienced officers with over 25 to 30 years of service in commercial aviation.
Commercial aviation is a specialised field and neither retired PAF officers or man from artillery, intelligence or transport have any business to work in aviation, except perhaps in security.
The recent serious security lapse in Rawalpindi, where the Presidential motorcade escaped in broad daylight, has raised doubts about the professionalism of those assigned with the task of security.
VVIP security is a specialised field and requires specific training encompassing a wide variety of intelligence and other aspects.
It is for this reason that in countries like USA, UK, India etc, special units have been trained to accomplish this vital task.
We are living in an age of specialisation, where there is no room for those who are "Jack of All Trades." PIA should hire the best available man, who have relevant professional qualifications in various fields.
It is surprising that PIA does not have the services of even a single MBA in Aviation, although such qualified professionals are available.
Unfortunately it has become a norm in Pakistani state enterprises, to promote those who excel in PR and socialising, or are experts in the art of sycophancy.
Such men have nothing to offer, except building castles in the sand, or playing upon the weakness of their superiors.
Professionals on the other hand feel that they only need to work and are thus left behind.
It is up to the professionalism, competence and maturity of a chief executive to either hire and promote the best and most qualified, or fall prey to the irresistible temptation and weakness of all namely- sycophancy.
Pakistan's problems are due to lack of development of its human resources and PIA is no exception.