Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) does not owe any amount to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in fact CAA owes to PIA. PIA categorically denies the report and clarifies the content of the article entitled "Mystery behind Aero Asia''s non-payment of CAA dues deepening" published in Business Recorder of Thursday, June 1, 2006.
Following are the facts of the matter relating to CAA''s claim of dues with respect to PIA. This problem pertains to years prior to 1998. Currently there is nothing outstanding from PIA side to CAA. The amount of Rs 3.819 billion claimed to be outstanding against PIA is neither supported by documentary evidence nor tenable by facts or figures.
CAA''s claim is not only exorbitantly padded up by applying unilateral increases of over 3190 percent but also involves duplication of areas/billing.
According to the documentary evidence, the total bill on account of aeronautical and non-aeronautical charges adds up to less than Rs 2 billion, against which PIA has already paid more than Rs 2 billion. The dues of aeronautical charges and land rentals are regularly paid and there are no outstanding dues against PIA.
In fact, on the contrary, CAA owes approximately Rs 500 million to PIA. Nonetheless, resolution of this dispute is being sought through the good offices of the Ministry of Defence who have constituted two committees to resolve the issue. Premature publication of a controversial/disputed matter in the Press is therefore unwarranted.-PR