PAC session: Khursheed Shah irked at PIA’s dismal state
The committee also took notice of the issue of sale of a PIA aircraft in Malta
October 10, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah chaired the Public Accounts Committee session on Tuesday where he got indignant at the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines’ dismal state of affairs.
During the session, the PAC chairman inquired regarding the working of the national airline and the details of the PIA chief consultant.
“How did the PIA appoint a convicted man as the chief consultant?” said the PAC chairman, adding that the person in question is receiving Rs1.5 million monthly salary.
While inquiring about the contractor of the airline, Shah objected to the advance payment made to him.
“You (PIA officials) have made payments of Rs48 million and no work was carried out,” said Shah.
The committee also summoned details of the PIA employees’ travelling and daily allowances within 24 hours.
The committee also took notice of the issue of the sale of an aircraft in Malta. Shah said that the issue brought disgrace to the country.
The committee ordered to forward the matter to the National Accountability Bureau.
It emerged recently that the country’s flagship carrier is slipping further into losses by each passing day, and the management appears to have no clue how to saving the ‘sinking Titanic’.
Earlier today, PM's Aviation Adviser Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said the airline’s losses have surged to $4 billion as neither the government nor the airline’s management or its employees is ready to own it.
Abbasi said that the 'sale' of a PIA aircraft to a German museum — a decision taken by the former German CEO of PIA Bernd Hildenbrand, was a "mistake."
"Investigation into the 'sale' is still ongoing in Germany," the aviation adviser said, adding that the aircraft was sold along with its engine as well as other valuable machinery.
