SC issues notice to secretary defence in PIA case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was informed on Monday that a total of 28 aircraft were operational whereas others were grounded, adding that as many as 663 pilot and co-pilots were deputed on the operational flights.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing a suo-moto case against irregularities in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as well as constitutional petition, filed by PML-N leader Marvi Memon, seeking direction of the court to probe into the affairs of the airline through ascertaining corruption, mismanagement on the part of PIA.

Raja Bashir, counsel for PIA, the national flag carrier, told the court that 28 aircraft were operational whereas others were grounded, adding that as many as 663 pilot and copilot were deputed on the operational flights.

In pursuance of the court orders counsel for the PIA brought a fax of roster of the pilot and co-pilot and prayed for more time to file comprehensive report.

During the proceedings, the court was informed that at the end of current fiscal year volume of total loss would approximately be recorded as Rs140 billion which was Rs100 billion in 2010-11.

The Chief Justice while citing Transparency International (TI) report about PIA’s deteriorating situation observed that no one seems to be interested in taking corrective measures in PIA.

The court was informed that federal government appointed Lt Gen (R) Asif Yasin Malik as the Chairman of PIA on October 23, 2012 who has also been performing functions of Defence Secretary to the government of Pakistan and ex-officio Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Besides, Captain Junaid Younus has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD).

The court however, noted that under the prevailing deteriorating condition of the PIA there must be a full time Chairman as well as the MD because both assignees have full time job description.

The bench also observed that the court has to judge the reason behind monetary losses of the PIA and termed the financial losses to PIA as a sheer violation of the public right.

Meanwhile, the court issued notices to Secretary Defence, Chairman and Managing Director Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and adjourned the hearing till January 14.

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