ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the government has taken steps to overhaul PIA but there has been no improvement in its efficiency or profitability.

Presiding over a briefing on the performance of the airline on Wednesday, Mr Sharif said it was embarrassing that PIA’s performance had deteriorated rapidly over the past decade.

PIA had incurred losses of about Rs183 billion while its service delivery was also poor, with overstaffing emerging as a grave problem, he said.

The prime minister said the government would try to privatise PIA through a competitive and transparent process and without ‘pre-emptive downsizing’.

He expressed confidence in the PIA’s board of directors and said there would be no interference in its affairs. The government would extend full cooperation in efforts to streamline the organisation.

Mr Sharif asked the board members to hire experienced professionals who could run the airline on a commercial basis and ensure its profitability.

The meeting decided that the board members would discuss with the prime minister on a regular basis matters relating to the PIA’s restructuring and revival.

The prime minister underlined the need to make PIA profitable and said efforts should be made to improve its services by focussing on punctuality and safety.

Mr Sharif was informed that the airline had dismissed 330 employees bearing fake degrees. All promotions would now be made through the mandatory National Testing Service process.

The PIA management informed the meeting of the steps being taken to overhaul PIA and to restore its image.

The prime minister was told that closure of loss-making routes had led to a saving of Rs902 million per annum. Out of 34, PIA now had 24 functional aircraft and the standard operating procedures governing fuel management had been revised to optimise fuel utilisation which would lead to savings of Rs500m per annum.

PIA is in the process of acquiring 11 A320 aircraft on lease with deliveries starting in June.

The prime minister gave a go-ahead to the airline to acquire five additional Boeing 777 aircraft, devise a strategy to settle loans and empower its board of directors to run the organisation on a professional basis.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the PM on Aviation Shujaat Azeem, Avi­a­­tion Secretary Mohammad Ali Gardezi and the chiefs of the CAA and PIA attended the meeting.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...