April 26, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 08, 1428

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ISLAMABAD April 25: The Pakistan International Airlines on Wednesday came under fire in the National Assembly for poor performance, financial mismanagement and poor upkeep of its planes which resulted in flights ban to European Union countries.

During debate on a call-attention notice, the government admitted that mishandling and negligence had caused major losses to the credibility of the airline.

Through a calling-attention notice, PPP’s Fauzia Wahab, Syed Naveed Qamar, Ms Naheed Khan and Azra Fazal Pechuho invited the attention of the defence minister towards a ban on PIA flights imposed by the European Union.

The house admitted six other identical adjournment motions seeking a debate on the PIA and CAA performance and fixed two hours’ debate on Thursday.

Parliamentary defence secretary Maj Tanveer Hussain said the ban was imposed following a prior notice of one year for the rectification of certain plane, flight and cargo section standards which had not been attended properly.

He informed the house that the ministry had ordered an inquiry into the scam and action would be taken against those responsible.

He contended that one reason for the ban on Boeing aircraft to European destinations could be that the plane was manufactured in the United States. “European countries manufacture Airbus which they want to sell to the flying nations,” he added.