Partly Facetious: a rescue plan for PIA

15 Nov, 2006

"So PIA is in the red again."
"Yes and Musharraf called the PIA chief to ask him what should be done."
"That's what I like about the guy! Micro manages everything."
"That's silly! When things go wrong then he has no one to blame but himself."
"He actually thinks things don't go wrong."
"Let me take a few names. Mukhtaran Mai, Bajaur, Balochistan, war on terror, law and order situation in the entire country, the high rate of inflation, rising unemployment..."
"Hey, he thinks everything is hunky-dory and nothing you or I may say is going to change his mind."
"Oh well. Going back to PIA maybe the solution is if the Government stops commissioning PIA planes to take members of the executive on junkets that involve promoting..."
"Don't be facetious."
"Well it happened."
"Yes, it happened but I don't think PIA paid for that trip."
"Who did?"
"I think it must have come out of the budget or exchequer."
"Or something?"
"Yes, I am sure this was put as an expense item under the head representing the country abroad or something."
"Or something again?"
"Well, it could be under the head of discretionary fund."
"There I disagree with you. The discretionary fund is unlikely to have such representation if you know what I mean. Harder to justify!"
"So where does the discretionary fund usually go?"
"I would imagine it goes where some political capital can be made - you know after a speech to announce an impromptu grant."
"I see."
"So going back to PIA..."
'First they have to get rid of their over-staffing - due entirely to the politicians need I add."
"And then?"
"Then they have to get rid of their VIP culture. No one who hasn't paid for first or business class should be upgraded - no one. Not the Chosen One, not even the President, no one who is going on a personal trip should have it upgraded as a matter of course."
"The government will fall if that was allowed to happen."
"Then let it fall."
"Are you crazy! Politics above the country isn't that the motto here!"
"Seems like it at times."

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