The appointment of Air Marshal Arshad Malik as acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) has reportedly been on deputation basis in consultation with Ministry of Defence, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. "Presently, Air Marshal Arshad Malik is on the strength of Pakistan Air Force and working at the same time as a full-time CEO PIACL. His secondment as CEO PIACL has been approved by the Prime Minister, being then Minister Incharge for Aviation Division," the sources added.
The position of CEO PIACL became vacant as a result of the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 3, 2018 given with reference to HRC No.11828-S of 2018. The additional charge of the position was assigned to Muhammad Saqib Aziz, Secretary Aviation Division, on September 5, 2018. He replenished the additional charge of CEO PIACL on October 26, 2018.
On October 11, 2018, the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Vice Chief of Air Staff, as Director/Member of the PIA Board of Directors with the direction that he shall be government's nominee for the position of chairman who is to be appointed by the PIACL Board. Subsequently, the cabinet, in its decision of October 18, 2018 approved that PIA Board of Directors shall elect a member of the Board to act as the CEO of the PIACL, till the time the federal government appoints a CEO on regular basis through a completive process. In pursuance of the cabinet's decisions, the PIACL Board in its meeting held on October 26, 2018 agreed to appoint him as an acting CEO till appointment of a regular incumbent.
Subsequently, Air Marshal Arshad Malik assumed the charge of office of the CEO PIACL with effect from October 26, 2018. Ministry of Defence has no objection over appointment of Air Marshal Asrhad Malik as acting CEO PIACL. The Establishment Division also advised to appoint him on secondment (deputation) basis from the date he assumed the charge of CEO i.e. October 26, 2018.
The sources further stated that the Aviation Division is processing the case of appointment of CEO PIACL in consultation with the Establishment Division for which the CEO is also required to be a "fighter" which implies that the permanent CEO will be from the PAF.