Govt appoints Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik as PIA chairman

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik as the chairman of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced Thursday.

The information minister made the announcement as he addressed the media after Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet.

"PIA is in a debt of Rs406 billion," Chauhdry further said while adding that the national carrier is facing a debt of Rs2 billion every month. "The new chairman of the national carrier has been directed to "immediately fix the institution's economic condition," he added.

Further, the information minister said, "Aoun Abbas has been appointed as chairman of Baitul Maal."

"Pakistan's condition is like that of a house looted by thieves. Those responsible for the country’s current state should be taken to court," he added.

Commenting on the housing project, he informed the media that houses will be built on government land and will be leased to people on low rates.

"The National Assembly speaker issued Shehbaz Sharif's production orders on opposition's request," he added. "The Parliament will get a chance to question Shehbaz regarding what he has done," Chaudhry further said.

Taking a hit at the previous governments, the information minister said, "We are shocked that the Pakistan Peoples Party has the audacity to tell us what to do."

The information minister also announced that measures are being taken to crackdown against smuggling of mobile phones. "By this year's end, smuggled phones will not be operational in the country," he asserted.

Further, Chaudhry said the cabinet also discussed placing and removing certain names from the Exit Control List (ECL) and said, "There are currently 3,000 names on the list."

The minister said that the government never received any request to remove former premier Nawaz Sharif from the ECL, adding that it would be mulled over once they do get a request.

Vowing that the government will complete whatever project it undertakes, the information minister said, "Details of our 100-day plan can be accessed through our website."

Legislation for whistle-blower protection will also be introduced and the existing laws will be brought in tandem with NAB and FIA laws.

The ordinance will ensure protection of whistle-blowers under law.