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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chairman Azam Saigol resigned from his post on Monday due to personal reasons, the national carrier's spokesman confirmed.
The development comes as PIA is under pressure and scrutiny following the crash of PK-661 and speculation that the national carrier does not follow international safety standards and procedures.
Earlier today, the PIA spokesman said in a statement that the chairman was working on a pro bono basis (without salary and perks).
The statement added that the role of the chairman is to head the board since a shift of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation to PIACL under the Companies Ordinance of 1984.
The government had appointed the noted industrialist and a member of the board of directors of Pakistan International Airlines as chairman of the national flag carrier in May 2016.
Saigol was appointed after the previous chairman, Nasser Jaffer, resigned amid the controversy resulting from the countrywide strike by the airlines’ employees over the government’s reported privatisation plans.
The Oxford educated Saigol is a well known industrialist of the country, and brought with him vast experience in handling big industrial concerns and corporations.
He had remained on PIA’s board of directors since 2013.
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Comments (145) Closed
Dec 12, 2016 10:53pm
Good precedent. I wish our politicians would follow this example.
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Dec 12, 2016 10:54pm
This is the least he could have done .
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Dec 12, 2016 10:57pm
Finally. This was a much needed act, for whatever reason he gave.
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Dec 12, 2016 10:57pm
Great! He made a great example of others especially in Pakistan which exercises in developed countries. I think he finally realized things are very bad for governance and most of the things are controlled by Nawaz Sharif. He never wanted to be a part of it.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:00pm
A man with a sound moral compass ......... our politicians should learn from this.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:01pm
And they keep changing the water of the well without taking the dog out.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:01pm
At least someone looks to have some sense of responsibility
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Dec 12, 2016 11:05pm
A right tradition.We expect the same from Defence minister under whom the PIA is working,rather suffering.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:03pm
When it comes to accountability, he resigns.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:05pm
"personal reasons' fake term to hide one's face. Be courageous to accept responsibility and step down as head of an organisation, in the circumstances.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:10pm
If Azam Saigol resigned because he thinks PIA was on a fault in the latest PK-661 incident, then it is the honorable acct and we should appreciate it. Hope there will be more heads to roll if there is an obvious link b/w the PIA staff negligence and this accident. We also want to make sure we don't penalized PIA if this accident was just something that was unavoidable due to some imminent reasons.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:17pm
It's that simple....Captian of the ship has to be rolled down after any incompetency!
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Dec 12, 2016 11:17pm
The cronyism should stop in all national institutions!
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Dec 12, 2016 11:21pm
This is sad. He was brought in to fix the company not jump the ship so early. I guess he opted for the easy way out
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Dec 12, 2016 11:19pm
...and the government would remain scot-free.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:21pm
We know very well what's the meaning of personal reasons.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:30pm
Thank you for resigning!
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Dec 12, 2016 11:31pm
well known industrialist with vast experience in handling big industrial
Wonder where their expertise go wen such ppl come in govt run organisations..
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Dec 12, 2016 11:31pm
About time some one took responsibility for the failure of PIA time and again. The entire organization needs to be revamped from top to the lowly security guards and cleaners.
A bloated airline with 1000 employees per plane is unheard of! Anywhere else, the company would have filed bankruptcy, reorganized under a new brand with fresh and qualified employees to review the company.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:32pm
PIA should be dissolved, there's no alternative left!
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Dec 12, 2016 11:30pm
He has to after the truth comes out at social media by his own employees. PIA should be penalized and culprits should get punished if investigation reports confirmed the allegations.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:38pm
this guy should be put in jail due to negligence in duty.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:40pm
I would like to nominate a UK and US-educated Mr. Ehsan A. Malik - former CEO of Unilever Pakistan as the new Chairman of PIA. During his tenor at Unilver Pakistan, Mr. Malik led the rapid expansion of the company, with increased product lines, market share, profitability with focus on employee and customer satisfaction all around.
He is a dedicated and no-nonsense Executive, who can turn things around at PIA if given unfettered powers, with political influence, to do what is necessary to bring the former glory back to the national carrier. His management skills - gained after several years in the corporate sector as well as his financial management acumen - especially his ACA credentials are par none. In addition, his strategic planning and organizational development know-how backed by Harvard Univ. training is what is needed at this critical juncture at PIA.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:41pm
He should also be fired as director of PIA. The corporation needs new leadership which will take safely absolutely top priority.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:44pm
Mr. Saigol was my senior in Lahore Oxford High School:the whole school body was in awe of his managerial skills from an early stage. He has been made a scape goat. It was the plane's fault that it didn't fly with one engine also, the plane was meant to glide and its the fault of the hill which obstructed the gliding plane.
Clearly this nation does not deserve a talented individual.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:47pm
Such is the state in Pakistan that it's difficult to know whether this is a responsible man giving up or rats running off the sinking ship.....
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Dec 12, 2016 11:48pm
No one can manage PIA with their hands and legs tied behind their back by the government. Any one who accepts this position must be given complete freedom and full support with authority to terminate employment of thousands of PIA workers who are neither qualified nor are needed. PIA union should be disbanded so that PIA can regain its health as a functioning entity. Wasting Public funds on PIA irresponsibly is a violation of Public trust by the government and the Parliament who have failed to protect public's interest
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Dec 12, 2016 11:48pm
This is too easy for this guy, he MUST be prosecuted and held responsible of all the deaths. PROSECUTE Azam Saigol.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:50pm
Right decision
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Dec 12, 2016 11:50pm
His vast experience in running large industries didn't reflect in his working with PIA .
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Dec 12, 2016 11:51pm
Good for him. He need not do unproductive work.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:53pm
That's what they all say, "personal reasons". He was pushed out for mismanagement.
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Dec 12, 2016 11:56pm
Right decision. Folks don't fly with PIA till they reach to the international safety standards. Boycott.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:04am
Must be the first time somebody is actually taking responsibility for their organisations failure in Pakistan.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:05am
What has Oxford education got to do with managing a company? There are many Pakistanis with Oxford education who don't know a damn thing.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:07am
At least this guy has acted upon his conscience !
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Dec 13, 2016 12:09am
Decent thing to do, appreciated. Our rulers must learn a lesson and learn to take responsibility of their deeds.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:09am
We need to privatise PIA and let the private company run it. Hopefully his resination will bring fresh blood to move the company forward.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:13am
The so called noted industrialists/successful businessmen fail miserably when given the reins of large public sector organizations. A look at the composition of Boards of various public sector organizations would show that they boast of many so called renowned businessmen, besides bureaucrats.
Abject failure of business tycoons while running public sector units exposes the real truth about their much touted entrepreneurial skills in managing own enterprises. The successes there could be the result of tax evasion, under/over invoicing in exports/imports, collusion with government officials to violate rules, high handedness in dealing with employees etc.-things not possible in public sector organizations. They may also get involved in the endemic loot and plunder in public sector units in league with the unscrupulous elements and corrupt unions. So much for their managerial capabilities.
The bureaucrats on Boards may simply be interested in TAs/DAs and Board meetings attendance fees.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:14am
Reasonable person with a reasonable decision......
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Dec 13, 2016 12:17am
I was also told to resign from my pervious job due to bad performance but was cited as personal reasons to avoid black mark on my career.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:18am
If Saigol resigned due to the airplane crash saga then he must be brave enough to accept the responsibility and resign accordingly rather than going on personal grounds.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:20am
Respect !
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Dec 13, 2016 12:19am
Who cares. Got job because of connections.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:19am
Political appointees keep on working so does his resignation make any difference. In fact he is million time qualified person for his job compare to any political and union workers at there given jobs.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:24am
This does not solve the problem of PIA.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:30am
Thank you very much, we need some one more responsible chair person to look after PIA pro actively and professionally. Safety of human life is a concerning point first for all.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:34am
What about the politicians who had the finger on the trigger in decision making they are equally to blame
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Dec 13, 2016 12:41am
Good riddance
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Dec 13, 2016 12:40am
Why not on the reason of plane crash? You can restore some dignity !
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Dec 13, 2016 12:43am
Good. We don't need incompetent so called big industrialists
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Dec 13, 2016 01:01am
People of Pakistan would like to see PIA rise to its former glory. PIA helped start airlines like Emirates. This 1.47 minute video again reminds us what we are.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yJUs0SaEEFM
Come on PIA, remember what you are capable of. Help make this nation proud and great once again.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:14am
Very good decision. Responsibility starts from the top. A lesson of other government agencies as well as PM. himself.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:25am
INFESTED with Nepotism.
the rich for the rich. Welcome to Pakistan
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Dec 13, 2016 01:29am
Few heads must roll, I say.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:42am
Not at this stage sir, we need you at this time.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:41am
No one works pro bono in today's Pakistan.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:51am
He should be tried. Resignation is not sufficient.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:53am
He saved his skin after this horrible mishap. Doesn't matter where he is educated or what type of experience he has the important part is that he has to deal with the current government and PM. Educated people cannot deal with our incompetent leaders and politicians and this is the truth.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:56am
Good decision, now he should come out clean and tell the nation the truth about the state of affairs in one of the most corrupt and politicized government owned entity.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:01am
A good news.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:14am
very good. now criminal proveedings should be started ummediatelt against saigol and other PIA board members.....
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Dec 13, 2016 02:15am
Please bring some ex Air force official as chairman rather tham PML N stooges.....PIA gained a lot during Noor khan and Asghar khan era
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Dec 13, 2016 02:25am
what miracles could this guy have performed in six months ?
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Dec 13, 2016 02:27am
Good example set by him. At least he felt responsible even though he said it was for personal reasons.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:28am
Running from what exactly is the key question.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:37am
Thank you Sir.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:51am
all bunch of thieves,they steel along with politicians,needs to be in jail.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:53am
Well known industrialist and Oxford educated. And he resigned. Such a big loss to our country.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:59am
The Right thing to do. Only if the Sharif brothers could do the same.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:15am
Still personal reasons!!!
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Dec 13, 2016 03:34am
Why doesn't the Managing Director resign??? He is the one getting a fat salary. But such guys have little self respect.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:39am
A good precedent. If you are the head of an institution and a tragedy occurs on your watch, it is your moral duty to resign and let someone else take over.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:52am
Good and sell PIA to foreign country
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Dec 13, 2016 03:58am
Time to put him on ECL
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Dec 13, 2016 04:27am
Good decision Mr. Chairman. While the resignation is touted as one for personal reasons, the timing is great. Accountability must start at the top.
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Dec 13, 2016 04:42am
Good riddance. Let's see which puppet the government chooses now.
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Dec 13, 2016 04:47am
smart man knows when to exit.
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Dec 13, 2016 04:50am
Better late than never.
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Dec 13, 2016 05:10am
" due to personal reasons" Is this a reason after so many failers in just one week? Had he resign a few days earlier and said that I am resigning due to the crash and ultimately as a Chairman , I am responsible. Had he done that, people would have respected him and admired his courage. But no, why do that since everyone is so perfect.
Now we are told he was working for free so for free this is what you get. For Got sake get a highly paid professional who can do the job.
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Dec 13, 2016 05:13am
Can someone be found outside Pakistan to run PIA, the way it should be run with someone having lots of airline experience. There is nothing to be ashamed of such induction. After all, we have foreign coaches both in hockey, cricket and football. Pro bono and having no salary, alone are not enough. Someone we pay and who can blindly fix this almost bankrupt organization--both in human and physical assets. Let us try this avenue--someone who is from outside, above the local bonds of servitude, family and tribal leanings.
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Dec 13, 2016 05:34am
We Pakistanis don't know a good thing if it hits us in the face. Azam Saigol was sincere, honest and qualified, but between the politics and the media, he never had a chance. PIA needs serious reforms requiring political will. We need to see the big picture. Loss of worthless jobs in PIA now would save the airline and create future jobs in a successful airline. That is what Azam had set out to do, and finally realized it is impossible to fight too many battles. Everyone from our politicians, the media,PIA employees, and we the citizens are to blame for this loss. We reap what we sow.
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Dec 13, 2016 05:39am
This is what a pure blood and honorable man would do. Lineage matters.
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Dec 13, 2016 05:48am
Good riddance
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Dec 13, 2016 05:57am
(PIA) Chairman Azam Saigol resigned from his post on Monday due to personal reasons. Is this a joke?
Why is he running away from his duty? We need answers and personally speaking, I would like to see some people behind bars. The recent tragedy was due to negligence. I would not travel with PIA not any time soon anyways. Until these culprits who hold high positions that make the calls are held accountable I am afraid nothing will change.
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Dec 13, 2016 06:04am
and due to his experience and nawaz experience we lost another billions of rupees in loses only in PIA and lost precious 45 lives as well along with plane.
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Dec 13, 2016 06:16am
Thank got he is gone. However, this is not going to solve the problem. We need to get rid of all the sifarshis in PIA. This airline can be made better but not with so many people who want to eat PIA up.
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Dec 13, 2016 06:26am
That's what happens with civilized people. The crash happened under his rule, and he resigned. Nawaz will go only when he is pushed out by a powerful force.
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Dec 13, 2016 06:50am
One less problem!!!
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Dec 13, 2016 06:53am
OK it's a good first step. But do we really know what ails the PIA?
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Dec 13, 2016 06:58am
Tendering resignation,an easy way to escape from ailing responsibilities
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Dec 13, 2016 07:17am
Good, right and sensible decision.
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Dec 13, 2016 07:22am
I think Mr. Saigon got scared very quickly from PIA fleet.
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Dec 13, 2016 07:36am
Azam Saigol is a total failure as PIA Chairman.
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Dec 13, 2016 07:59am
very clever and easy escape !
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Dec 13, 2016 08:01am
people with honor do just like this, unlike our politicians
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Dec 13, 2016 08:03am
Good decision.
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Dec 13, 2016 08:08am
I don't think Mr. Saigol is resigning at this juncture for personal reasons. I believe he tried to turn around the airline but failed because of a strong labor union tactics with political affiliation. He really believed that the only way out of the current mess for PIA is to privatize the airline and save millions of dollars it is losing annually. He tried to cut the overhead but Union would not budge or give an inch against privatization.Under these circumstances, PIA was incurring huge losses and there was no way out but to resign. This was a respectable thing to do which we don't see very often in Pakistan.I also think the ATR crash which killed 48 people really affected him personally and as head of the PIA, he somehow felt responsible for the tragic incident.I feel the govt made him the Chairman of the airline without providing him any space to maneuver or authority to cut down the unnecessary employees which is at least three time more per plane as compared to other airlines.
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Dec 13, 2016 08:18am
@Make Pakistan great You have raised a very valid point. This is well illustrated by companies listed on Stock Exchange. Of the 700+ companies, very few are worth investing based on their operating performance. And these investibles are either banks, Multinationals or dependent on guaranteed returns/subsidy etc. Very few genuine locally owned businesses. Personally, used to monitor companies controlled by Naseem/Azam Saigol in 1990s. Most foreign investors had bitter experience in them. They eventually had to sell Union Bank.
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Dec 13, 2016 08:27am
He should have resigned on the day of the crash. Better late than never. Good precedent. Why hang on to a job when you can't deliver!
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Dec 13, 2016 08:31am
Intelligent and honest people cannot work with corrupt and incompetent leaders politicians like our PM. Nawaz has the upper hand that is why Saigol could not turn around PIA economic conditions.
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Dec 13, 2016 08:56am
But this should not absolve him of the responsibility for Havelian crash. He must be investigated.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:24am
Personal reasons??? seriously????
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Dec 13, 2016 09:34am
With all his experience he didn't do much good if they had to ground a fleet after the fact, rather than averting it by keeping strict protocols of safety alive.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:33am
It seems he did tender resignation but taken forcibly.
It is top bureaucratic trick to make calm the tempo of the masses and tackle these blunders by this way.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:36am
that happens when people getting seats because of nepotism.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:39am
Good decision. Some ownership to the incidents. Good omen, PIA and Pak in general need such things in every dept of country...duty of care should be considered in all public n private organisations equally and in Govt
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Dec 13, 2016 09:51am
What about the German MD ? When he will be leaving for Berlin ?
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Dec 13, 2016 10:01am
Thought a sound decision but I feel sad for Mr. Saigol. A leading industrialist who is well qualified and having sound experience in his field but running a political mess is not an easy job and that too with just the will and wishes of government.
PIA needs a strong leadership, time, resources and an above all the commitment of the Nation to bring it glory back. I have been a CEO of an organisation and it is unfair to expect just one person to turn around the huge mess accumulated over these years in an extremely difficult circumstances in a brief period. This is not a 20 twenty match but rather a marathon requires patience and stamina
Let's get out of the false hope that the new Chairman will give solution to all outstanding issues.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:31am
Apart from other causes one of the major cause was the pilot was busy in most of the time in making and uploading videos - 'Amazing Pakistan' on U-tube, where as flying in northern area is not a piece of cake. We should all realize our duties.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:32am
@Mahmood - I don't mind. But, respectfully speaking, PIA and Unilever are two totally different beasts - Unilever has its international management structure and systems behind it whereas PIA is nothing short of a government run entity plagued by appointments of Karachi's biggest mafia organisations that are on the payroll of political parties for the last 40 years.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:39am
@Sukhera - Thanks, one of the very few sensible comments. Lot of ppl venting their anger here without knowing anything about the role and responsibilities within a corporate entity of this size. At least give him credit for the courage he has shown.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:41am
Mr. Azam Saigol should have said that he shares the blame in the PK 661 air crash and then should have resigned. In India, once Lal Bahdar Shastri was a Minister for Railways( he later became the Prime Minister of India) and there was a train accident during his tenure. He shared the blame for that accident and resigned. That is what you call establishing a good precedent. I wish Azam Saigol should have demonstrated moral courage of accepting responsibility.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:47am
What has OXFORD got to do with competence ! It does not mean going to OXFORD entitled your run businesses and people should expect this person will be champion in Business. Pakistani's need to get this mentality out of their system.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:50am
Thanks goddness - someone has shown the courage and honour in this land.....
He must be held accountable for his deeds though...
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Dec 13, 2016 10:55am
PIA was one of the leading airlines under the the guidence of Nur Khan. Now its the worst. Government is in no mood to do any thing about it.
One can only hope that this airline already in nose dive would recover one day.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:55am
There is still someone in country who still listens to voice of eternal conscience.
I pray may some good company in world hire this wonderful person to run their airlines before somebody else hires him. A place of precious diamond should be in platinum or gold and not in silver or bronze.
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Dec 13, 2016 11:03am
The CEO should have resigned before the Chairman.
The CEO and relevant persons approved the plane to fly should all resign or fired as they are responsible for day to day activities of the business.
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Dec 13, 2016 11:06am
@Love Your Country - Some Commonsense !
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Dec 13, 2016 11:10am
PIA must be sued for criminal negligence which caused the death of innocent passengers. One resignation is not enough.
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Dec 13, 2016 11:12am
'The Oxford educated Saigol is a well known industrialist of the country, and brought with him vast experience in handling big industrial concerns and corporations'
.....so what PIA people are very hard nut to crack. No one will be able to control them due their affiliation of political backing.
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Dec 13, 2016 11:14am
Sell it off as the state has failed miserably to protect the people's asset.
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Dec 13, 2016 11:11am
@Mahmood PIA needs a professional with world class aviation experience!
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Dec 13, 2016 11:18am
This is not enough! Somebody should be held accountable for the crash and resultant punishment! Otherwise, this resignation is simply an eye wash!
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Dec 13, 2016 12:47pm
@Matt - A company's Chairman of the Board (or 'bored', as you see fit), is largely a ceremonial post. Whereas the CEO and COO are the two people primarily responsible for operating the company, developing strategies and implementing the business model.
That role of CEO at PIA is currently in the hands of Bernd Hillenbrand, formerly and executive with Lufthansa. If he could not turn things around at PIA, than I fear all is lost and no one in Pakistan will be able to deliver the result and revive PIA into an efficient, lean, profitable and reputable airline it once was. I am sure Mr. Hillenbrand has put forth proposal how things could be changed at PIA and stop the bleeding. But political interference, unions, and factions within the company are preventing him from introducing reforms that are sorely needed. The powers may have overruled him, thereby guaranteeing his failure to fire thousands of useless PIA employees and improve service. Sad, but that may be the bitter truth.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:26pm
@Malik So sad an affair. I keep reading how once upon a time PIA help set up Emirates. How a Pakistani was a CEO of Pan Am. Now hey shall have to import a head for once such an eloquent Airlines. Full Circle.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:39pm
@Mahmood. Managing a private corporation such as Unilever is different from a public one such as PIA. In Unilever you can keep the organization trim and efficient, and can discipline and fire workers. In PIA you face an inefficient, bloated workforce, which has been stuffed with political appointees, and are unable to do anything about it.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:51pm
@Make Pakistan great. The reason any executive from a private company will fail to turn around PIA is simply that in the latter he will be faced with unproductive, bloated workforce about which he will not be able to anything, because of vested interests, political pressure, and threats of strikes.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:02pm
@Intizar Everyone like you, thinks a Chairman is responsible for turning things around at an ailing organization. Which is not the case. He is a ceremonial head of the organization, not the policy maker, operator or overseas the management. That role is filled by CEO and COO or in collusion.
I did not suggest Mr. Ehsan Malik to be the CEO. but rather replace the outgoing Mr. Saigol as Chairman of PIA. The current CEO of PIA is highly experienced and very capable former Lufthansa executive, Mr. Hillebrand. If he is allowed freedom do what is necessary he can revive PIA. But the head of PIA should be a Pakistani with experience, knowledge and expertise to guide management committees to help the CEO deliver the desired results. A seasoned hand like Mr. Malik has a proven track record with an international organization, and is highly acclaimed in the business community at home and abroad.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:17pm
@Intizar - What do you know about running a multi-national organization, public or private? Do you have decades of experience in any of these international concerns - at home or abroad?
Given the political influences at PIA, a neutral business executive with experience heading a large organization in Paksitan is what is needed. He should be able to stave off any political pressures, with clear mandate and without interference from the government or any political groups. He should assist the CEO to trim the fixed cost immediately to stop the billions in losses, reduce debt, restructure the organization, improve service, expand network with new fleet of jets and change the image of PIA. A Pakistani executive with skills, knowledge and guts to do just that is is what is needed right now.
Mr. Ehsan Malik happens to be a cousin of mine, but I support his nomination, purely based on his business track record and abilities to deliver results.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:45pm
As far as operations are concerned, this is the responsibility of CEO and he must be the one to come forward and hold himself accountable. This resign is juts a face off tact. He must have accepted the onus before offering his resign instead of putting it in the basket of "personal reasons".
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Dec 13, 2016 03:01pm
At least there is someone honorable who considered it worth resigning from his post.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:29pm
@Mahmood - The chairman and the CEO (or chairmen and CEOs) will NOT be able to deliver anything if they are not left alone to make the right decisions purely on merit. For this to happen (as it happens in the case of Unilever and other big and small commercial entities) they need free space to tackle the basic issues without interference and they need support. What I fear here is a media trial of this sad incident as a lot of ppl are already jumping to conclusions here. What if it was nobody's fault (planes do drop off the sky with even no trace at all)? We need to be patient and wait for the initial inquiry report.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:45pm
@Love Your Country - Exactly what I said, if the new CEO and Chairman are allowed the 'freedom to do what is necessary, without political influences or interference from government, or favors to anyone - except the traveling public, the customer and the taxpayers who are bankrolling the ailing PIA so far.
I feel the first thing the existing CEO should have been allowed to do was to get rid of thousands of political appointees, useless burden on the payroll, older planes and mindset. But I guess he has been hampered by government meddling and blackmails. I am actually shocked that Mr. Hillerbrand has not been able to trim to work force so far - which is the biggest financial strain on PIA and because of their political influences, impacts the performance of the entire organization.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:48pm
@M. Malik Qualified employees! Where to get from ? Ajaz
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Dec 13, 2016 05:07pm
If he resigned (due to the real reasons that surround around the recent crash on Chitral flight ) then his act is a courageous one to be applauded in a country where Minister refuses to go ( a train crash ) and argues he was not the driver of the crashed train ! , someone is taking a responsibility of an incident on his shoulders and leaving the job ! , though reported that he has done so on personal reasons . Truth must be told , why a person who was costing Nothing to the institution ( no salary and perks , as reported in this blog !) and if he was a competent person to hold the job , THEN WHY HE LEFT ?????
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Dec 13, 2016 06:31pm
Our country is at cross roads. No government institution working properly, no politician public can trust to include PM and his friends. Jobs are held by incompetent people. Don't know how far we still can go before public will come out on roads.
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Dec 13, 2016 08:37pm
@Make Pakistan great: Your point is well taken but you never presented any solution. The country has no systematic way of grooming good CEOs from bottom up. Most of the Pakistani CEOs are self assigned.
The only organization that grooms its top management from bottom up is Military. The last best Genral Manager of PIA was Air Marshal Noor Khan.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:48pm
good riddance
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Dec 14, 2016 03:02am
Just wanted to say when it's time to clear up the mess that PIA have made it s time for people to step down!! What a shame!!
Don't you think pia just need to close down or even sell them selfs!!
At one point Pia staff were showing Emairates how it was done! Look at the facility Emirates offer passangers compared to PIA. If the plain had enigne failer it should have not be in service in the first instance.
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Dec 14, 2016 03:06am
PIA should sell them selves to a company who can actually
run!!
It's time to sell up!
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Dec 14, 2016 03:54am
Qualifications,experience and management skills work side by side.The best safety device is a careful man.In this case it should be the team.The result of the investigations should be publicized with stern action against who so ever they may be.A full fledged SAFETY DEPARTMENT should be created to throughly counter check the roundtrip and annual maintenance schedules of the airplanes from time to time.Availability of spares for all airplane models has to be ensured.The Senior Management Level has to ensure 1.The safe operation/flyover of the plane.2.The schedule departure/arrival timings and 3.The amenities to the passengers.
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Dec 14, 2016 04:41am
"Personal reasons" says it all. There were no personal reasons before the crash investigation. It was easy money.
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Dec 14, 2016 06:17pm
@Shabana. The problem is not with the Chairman or the management of PIA. Mr. Saigol worked for PIA on pro bono basis which means no pay or perks. He was drafted when the former chairman was ousted because he started the process of privatization and all the union workers/ employees went strike and demanded his resignation. The government announced /promised that PIA will not be privatised to lure the employees to call off the strike. The goverment under MuzhR
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Dec 14, 2016 10:31pm
@ABC,Shabana,.Continued. President Musharraf forced the PIA to adopt the open sky policy which means any foreign airline can fly to any city in Pakistan. Emirates airlines flies to six cities in Pakistan, Qatar airways 6 cities, Etihad 5 cities and Turkish airlines 3 cities. Pakistan has a population of 200M but PIA only flies to one city in these countries. There are certain domestic routes where PIA been has been losing money for decades because the Govt does not allow them to discontinue. We started the open sky policy because of government's meddling in PIA affairs. PIA hired thousands of new employees because it was forced to hire starting from PPP government to the current govt. PIA could not compete with these airlines which had wide body new planes and the fare was lower than PIA. We should not criticize PIA for mismanagement because our government makes all the important decisions which are mostly political and is responsible for its downfall.Privatization is the answer.
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