A white elephant

The government, through a presidential ordinance, has converted PIA into a private limited company from an autonomous public organisation and wants to sell 25 percent shares to a strategic partner to recover the almost broken organisation. The national flag carrier has fallen from the glory of its yesteryears and now is considered to be one of the worst airlines in the world. It has accumulated a loss of hundreds of billions of rupees. Political interference, mismanagement, corruption, overstaffing and incompetence are responsible for its present dismal state.

The airline has over 500 personnel/aircraft against a standard of 150 to 200 for efficient airlines. Recently, cabin service items like air fresheners and tissue paper boxes were recovered from the lockers of some employees at Islamabad. The opposition led by the PPP are supporting the undue demands of PIA employees. How long can the government subsidise this white elephant at the cost of taxpayers’ money? The government should resolutely pursue the privatisation policy and enforce the Essential Services Act if required.

Air Cdre (r) Mohammad Yaqoob Khan

Rawalpindi