ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday refused to grant stay on a petition seeking the reinstatement of Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case filed by Malik, requesting for a stay order against a Sindh High Court’s (SHC) order which restrained him from working as PIA CEO.
During the course of the proceedings, the court sought details of the case from the SHC and linked the case with the privatisation of the national carrier. The Chief Justice asked how could Malik make appointments when he himself was appointed on deputation. He noted that another case pertaining to the PIA chief’s appointment was already being heard in the court. The court, however, allowed the board of directors to perform functions for the running of the national carrier.
Attorney General Anwar Mansoor pleaded that an advertisement was given for the appointment of CEO and Malik was confirmed as CEO of PIA as per the procedure.
Upon this, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah said the court wanted to see if the advertisement for PIA CEO’s post was designed with Malik in mind, as he did not have the pre-requisite qualification, education or the expertise required for the job. He also raised concern over reports that a bid worth Rs 70 million was awarded to an air commodore, saying the fares of PIA had increased by 100 per cent since Malik’s appointment.Justice Gulzar Ahmed stressed that the federal government should appoint the chief executive in accordance with the law. The Supreme Court rejected Malik’s plea and handed the reins of the PIA to the board of governors. The bench summoned the record of the case which is currently being heard in the SHC and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Earlier, the SHC had restricted Air Marshal Malik from performing the duties of the CEO and also barred PIA from making new appointments as well as dismissing or transferring employees.
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