SC allows Arshad Malik to continue working as PIA CEO

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arshad Malik to continue performing his duties as the head of the national carrier.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed issued the orders while hearing a petition challenging the Sindh High Court's orders barring Air Marshal Malik from working.

The petition against Malik's appointment was filed by Safdar Anjum, the general secretary of the airline's Senior Staff Association (SASA).

The petitioner had contended that Malik neither fulfilled the post's educational requirements nor had any relevant experience.

During the hearing, the CJP asked the government to explain a single  good thing that happened in the national airline. 

“PIA is playing with the lives of the people,” CJP Ahmed complained.

However, Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed defended Malik and described him as a competent person. He added that, God-willing, Malik would take the PIA forward.

However, the CJP interjected and told the government lawyer that work cannot be done by merely uttering "By the grace of God", "God-willing" and "Thanks be to God". 

Also read: PIA CEO's appointment 'illegal,' Arshad Malik should return salaries: AGP report

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan also criticised the government, saying that the court knows that a lot of lobbies were working against the airline.

“There are lobbies inside PIA who do not want it to work,” remarked the judge. He also suggested that the air marshal implement those decisions which a political government cannot.

“If actions had already been taken, the airline would not have been in its present state,” Justice Ahsan said.

To this, the AGP replied that if Arshad Malik is allowed to work as the CEO, he will take all those actions. He added that whenever the court will say that Malik has to go, he will go.

'PIA on ventilator'

Later, the Supreme Court, in a written order, stated that the federal government has informed the court that Arshad Malik was appointed legally. The court also stated that the AGP had pleaded to the court to let Air Marshal Malik work as the PIA CEO.

In the written order, the court said that the AGP had argued that Malik should be allowed to work as the institution was 'on a ventilator'.

Also read: SC rejects PIA CEO Arshad Malik's plea allowing him to continue in office

CJP irked by handling of coronavirus crisis

CJP Ahmed during the hearing also criticised the government for its failure to stop the entry of the coronavirus in the country.

“The coronavirus came from abroad through the airports due to PIA and the government’s incompetence,” remarked CJP. He noted that the coronavirus is now being talked about everywhere in the country.

“If security remains like this, then I do not know what kind of new diseases will be introduced to the country [in the future],” remarked the CJP. 

 He noted that the government had asked the court to stop working or curtail activities in view of the virus's spread when it had not done anything itself.

The top judge's remarks come as the nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 254 after new patients were reported in Sindh.