PIA’s director quits over management’s move of not presenting clear picture of losses
KARACHI: A senior official of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resigned claiming that the management manipulated a Senate committee and did not present a clear picture of the airline’s losses in the current year, it was learnt on Friday.
According to sources in the airline, Director Customer Services Tabassum A. Qadir tendered her resignation via email to PIA chief Bernd Hildenbrand on Thursday while the Senate committee, that had allegedly been presented the “manipulated” figures a day earlier, was still in the airline’s offices.
The three-member committee headed by Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional with retired Gen Abdul Qayoom of the PML-Nawaz and Farhatullah Babar of the Pakistan Peoples Party held meetings at the PIA offices in the city on Wednesday and Thursday. They were briefed and given presentations regarding PIA’s finances.
In her resignation, Ms Qadir criticised the “politically influenced” premier service which she claimed would not sustain owing to its negative financial impact.
She also suggested that the PIA should stop operating on the New York route which was making a big loss.
Among other things, she said that the PIA was going in the wrong direction and the planning did not align with the ground reality. She said that the Board of Directors and management had no synergy at all. She added that there was a tug of war going on between the board and management.
Ms Qadir, who was earning more than Rs1 million every month, said she was not in the PIA for any material or monetary gains.
She said she was unable to perform in this “toxic environment” and was resigning effective Feb 2017, after spending 120 days with the organisation.
PIA spokesperson Danyal Gilani confirmed to Dawn that Ms Qadir had resigned.
However, despite repeated attempts to make contact, Ms Qadir could not be reached.
Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2017
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Comments (42) Closed
Hail PIA.
Competent people leave PIA when they see the financial truth. Inept and political implants hang on for one more day.
Like all government owned entities PIA has nothing to worry about since the taxpayer is there to bail them out as many times as necessary.
If PIA Director quits it means PIA is doomed. What bad news,we can only get nostalgic about PIA now.
Let her come up with her ideas and then make her CEO of PIA.
Add PIA to CPEC. That should make it the most profitable air service in the world.
Government has to take step on urgent basis. We don't want to see PIA , moving on the same lines as PSM...
Hats off.
Airlines market them selves on image and style. PIA has become synonymous with corruption, mismanagement, bad staff, bad service, low quality planes and security risk.
Huff I have decided to never board a PIA flight ever again. Sadly!
This is a first. Someone resigned in Pakistan instead of blaming others. Anyway, she must have some self respect and did not want to just collect the paycheck and do nothing. People like her are the ones who can bring a change in the country but alas people like her cannot survive to make the change
Good people cannot last in any government organization in Pakistan period . Competent leoe do not believe in bribes and that creates a bottleneck for the corrupt. What a shame, I remember when PIA was looked upto as a classy airline and the slogan GREAT PEOPLE TO FLY WITH.
@DOOK In CPEC, doing what? PIA RAILWAYS? lol
@Sadaat
"Hats Off"
Do not put it back ON ever again.
Shouldn't PIA's "Director Customer Services" be working to improve customer services as opposed to giving opinion about "loss making New York route", "loss making premier service", "tug of war between board and management". It this Director had put more effort into customer services and less into political gossip, perhaps PIA and its customers (including me) would have been much better off. PKR 1 million per month wasted.
TRANSLATION: I wasn't the one who lost all that money.
Hats off to this director. There should be more like him who stand for transparency and truth.
All the blame goes to PML-N government because they were interested selling PIA to their chosen person so they can they can get their share from sale deal.
stil there are people who stand on their principle and with clear conscious
I would rather like a slim and efficient PIA!
Nothing new. Giving wrong financial figures is old practice in PIA. I witness as staffer.
thats what happens when nepotism is at full peak.. competent people involved in making money is far better option than incompetent people involved in making money.
What nawaz has done in these 4 years except taking loans.They cant make profitable pia, steelmills and on the other hand claims themselves as industrialist.ACTUALLY they are thugs disguise in form of industralist
Need privatization as soon as possible.
After just 120 days? Things must be really bad!!.
On the other hand, we've only heard only one side of the story. The truth may lie somewhere in between.
Let's not jump to conclusions before we learn the whole story.
I doubt even she's telling the whole truth!
How much did she understood about PIA finances after just 120 days on the job - especially if her role was director if customer service? You don't get to examine P&L or sit on financial committees in that role, nor is it your function to evaluate cost-benefit of a particular route.
I remain ambivalent about her claims and assertions.
At last someone is taking responsibility. But I wonder how can you run a airline with a Minister who has got his own airline running parallel to PIA?
Worst customer services I have ever experienced in my life to be honest. I wonder what we're responsibilities? And what did she contributed?
@pk she is female!
O My God! Rs300 billion loss,it is unbelievable.certainly,their is huge scam but it's clear that the airline's financial statements manipulated properly and intentionally.
Sounds to me she herself was probably involved in politicking and power struggle in her role as Director of Customer Service, and was squeezed out or lost the battle. Otherwise how would she have access to data on financial matters or what was presented to third parties - if you are not privy to that information?
Seems to me instead of focusing on her role at improving Customer Service she got involved in a game of to curry favors, and politics got injected into the role, where she lost after just 120 days on the job.
P.I.A died a long time ago.....it is simply being kept going at a horrendous loss to the nation, to satisfy a few inept, greedy persons ...... successive governments have failed on their pledge to privatize / reorganize this disgraceful organization.
Who have made this environment toxic? The answer is we have made the environment toxic.
She could be the first person to take such a bold and honest step but the grim reality is still not being aired which is our overall failure to manage or run any institution on certain fixed rules and regulations based on research and facts particularly about appointments. Almost all institutions are running like that. No resignation of such kind could bring any results till we all learn to observe law without giving favours to anyone.
@Rev. Eldrick lal - People get the leaders they deserve.
The people elected corrupt political parties like PPP and PML-N over and over again over the past 30 yaers (except for interruption by Musharraf) and they are expecting things to be different, moaning and whining why things are so bad, and how did PIA is is such dire straits?
Your vote counts. You elected these parties to politicize everything in Pakistan. Even the stupid goat hide collection process has become a political tug of war and territorial. There is no professionalism in any institution. People have elected corrupt leaders, and follow their examples. They are insane to expect different results. You reap what you sow. Live with the consequences of your choice. The system is corrupt, because people of the country allowed it to become corrupt. These so-called 'leaders' (as corrupt as they are) didn't hold a gun to anyone's head to vote for them.
Something looks fishy why she resigned when the investigation was underway. Check her accounts please.
The main Problems in PIA are the deep-rooted corruption, mismanagement, incompetence, nepotism, and overstaffed PPP Jeyalas who joined PIA during Zardari's tenure using Parchis but have no skills. PIA can never become a profitable and successful airline unless and until these above mentioned serious problems are solved first on urgent basis, otherwise unfortunately PIA will remain a big failure in the coming future as well.
Sounds like a disgruntled employee, who was 'forced to resign' because, either she could not deliver results she was hired for; or she got caught between power and territorial claim between political factions at PIA.
When you leave an organization, after such a brief stint, with such bitterness while making slanderous remarks - about areas of functions of the organization you had no expertise in or privy to - speaks volumes about her integrity and true motives.
The new truths are emerging it is time to do something. The present government has failed to solve this.
PIA is at present on venterlator soon to get the bad news unless a proper solution is not found soon.
Hopeless performance news pouring in from all government controlled institutions,simply negotiate with Chinese Airline,and handover it,against good payments. Chinese got Karachi Sanitaion tender,they are expressing interest in Pak Steel Mills,PIA, soon the Karachiiites will feel like living in HK,but a low profile life.And must learn Chinese mandarins to talk to Chinese guys.Earlier we were expected to learn Sindhi,but the children of Sindhis are speaking better Urdu than their native language,same happens to Afghanis and Pushtons,after capturing transports,now hotelling is their favorite profession,like chain of Chaiwalas,and Karahi hotels are suceesfully run,and Karachiiites are enjoying sumptuous dinners out ar open street hotels. Karachi is now really a multinational,multi linguistic,and relatively a peace city,after sucessfully operations by our valiant,and brilliant Rangers.
Is there no talent in Pakistan.If PIA can afford a Retd. foreign national as its Chief Executive then why not it can come over the shortage of fleet and improve its operations.
PIA should get an all new management with all current position holders sacked on account of their performances.
Comments (42) Closed
Hail PIA.
Competent people leave PIA when they see the financial truth. Inept and political implants hang on for one more day.
Like all government owned entities PIA has nothing to worry about since the taxpayer is there to bail them out as many times as necessary.
If PIA Director quits it means PIA is doomed. What bad news,we can only get nostalgic about PIA now.
Let her come up with her ideas and then make her CEO of PIA.
Add PIA to CPEC. That should make it the most profitable air service in the world.
Government has to take step on urgent basis. We don't want to see PIA , moving on the same lines as PSM...
Hats off.
Airlines market them selves on image and style. PIA has become synonymous with corruption, mismanagement, bad staff, bad service, low quality planes and security risk.
Huff I have decided to never board a PIA flight ever again. Sadly!
This is a first. Someone resigned in Pakistan instead of blaming others. Anyway, she must have some self respect and did not want to just collect the paycheck and do nothing. People like her are the ones who can bring a change in the country but alas people like her cannot survive to make the change
Good people cannot last in any government organization in Pakistan period . Competent leoe do not believe in bribes and that creates a bottleneck for the corrupt. What a shame, I remember when PIA was looked upto as a classy airline and the slogan GREAT PEOPLE TO FLY WITH.
@DOOK In CPEC, doing what? PIA RAILWAYS? lol
@Sadaat
"Hats Off"
Do not put it back ON ever again.
Shouldn't PIA's "Director Customer Services" be working to improve customer services as opposed to giving opinion about "loss making New York route", "loss making premier service", "tug of war between board and management". It this Director had put more effort into customer services and less into political gossip, perhaps PIA and its customers (including me) would have been much better off. PKR 1 million per month wasted.
TRANSLATION: I wasn't the one who lost all that money.
Hats off to this director. There should be more like him who stand for transparency and truth.
All the blame goes to PML-N government because they were interested selling PIA to their chosen person so they can they can get their share from sale deal.
stil there are people who stand on their principle and with clear conscious
I would rather like a slim and efficient PIA!
Nothing new. Giving wrong financial figures is old practice in PIA. I witness as staffer.
thats what happens when nepotism is at full peak.. competent people involved in making money is far better option than incompetent people involved in making money.
What nawaz has done in these 4 years except taking loans.They cant make profitable pia, steelmills and on the other hand claims themselves as industrialist.ACTUALLY they are thugs disguise in form of industralist
Need privatization as soon as possible.
After just 120 days? Things must be really bad!!.
On the other hand, we've only heard only one side of the story. The truth may lie somewhere in between.
Let's not jump to conclusions before we learn the whole story.
I doubt even she's telling the whole truth!
How much did she understood about PIA finances after just 120 days on the job - especially if her role was director if customer service? You don't get to examine P&L or sit on financial committees in that role, nor is it your function to evaluate cost-benefit of a particular route.
I remain ambivalent about her claims and assertions.
At last someone is taking responsibility. But I wonder how can you run a airline with a Minister who has got his own airline running parallel to PIA?
Worst customer services I have ever experienced in my life to be honest. I wonder what we're responsibilities? And what did she contributed?
@pk she is female!
O My God! Rs300 billion loss,it is unbelievable.certainly,their is huge scam but it's clear that the airline's financial statements manipulated properly and intentionally.
Sounds to me she herself was probably involved in politicking and power struggle in her role as Director of Customer Service, and was squeezed out or lost the battle. Otherwise how would she have access to data on financial matters or what was presented to third parties - if you are not privy to that information?
Seems to me instead of focusing on her role at improving Customer Service she got involved in a game of to curry favors, and politics got injected into the role, where she lost after just 120 days on the job.
P.I.A died a long time ago.....it is simply being kept going at a horrendous loss to the nation, to satisfy a few inept, greedy persons ...... successive governments have failed on their pledge to privatize / reorganize this disgraceful organization.
Who have made this environment toxic? The answer is we have made the environment toxic.
She could be the first person to take such a bold and honest step but the grim reality is still not being aired which is our overall failure to manage or run any institution on certain fixed rules and regulations based on research and facts particularly about appointments. Almost all institutions are running like that. No resignation of such kind could bring any results till we all learn to observe law without giving favours to anyone.
@Rev. Eldrick lal - People get the leaders they deserve.
The people elected corrupt political parties like PPP and PML-N over and over again over the past 30 yaers (except for interruption by Musharraf) and they are expecting things to be different, moaning and whining why things are so bad, and how did PIA is is such dire straits?
Your vote counts. You elected these parties to politicize everything in Pakistan. Even the stupid goat hide collection process has become a political tug of war and territorial. There is no professionalism in any institution. People have elected corrupt leaders, and follow their examples. They are insane to expect different results. You reap what you sow. Live with the consequences of your choice. The system is corrupt, because people of the country allowed it to become corrupt. These so-called 'leaders' (as corrupt as they are) didn't hold a gun to anyone's head to vote for them.
Something looks fishy why she resigned when the investigation was underway. Check her accounts please.
The main Problems in PIA are the deep-rooted corruption, mismanagement, incompetence, nepotism, and overstaffed PPP Jeyalas who joined PIA during Zardari's tenure using Parchis but have no skills. PIA can never become a profitable and successful airline unless and until these above mentioned serious problems are solved first on urgent basis, otherwise unfortunately PIA will remain a big failure in the coming future as well.
Sounds like a disgruntled employee, who was 'forced to resign' because, either she could not deliver results she was hired for; or she got caught between power and territorial claim between political factions at PIA.
When you leave an organization, after such a brief stint, with such bitterness while making slanderous remarks - about areas of functions of the organization you had no expertise in or privy to - speaks volumes about her integrity and true motives.
The new truths are emerging it is time to do something. The present government has failed to solve this.
PIA is at present on venterlator soon to get the bad news unless a proper solution is not found soon.
Hopeless performance news pouring in from all government controlled institutions,simply negotiate with Chinese Airline,and handover it,against good payments. Chinese got Karachi Sanitaion tender,they are expressing interest in Pak Steel Mills,PIA, soon the Karachiiites will feel like living in HK,but a low profile life.And must learn Chinese mandarins to talk to Chinese guys.Earlier we were expected to learn Sindhi,but the children of Sindhis are speaking better Urdu than their native language,same happens to Afghanis and Pushtons,after capturing transports,now hotelling is their favorite profession,like chain of Chaiwalas,and Karahi hotels are suceesfully run,and Karachiiites are enjoying sumptuous dinners out ar open street hotels. Karachi is now really a multinational,multi linguistic,and relatively a peace city,after sucessfully operations by our valiant,and brilliant Rangers.
Is there no talent in Pakistan.If PIA can afford a Retd. foreign national as its Chief Executive then why not it can come over the shortage of fleet and improve its operations.
PIA should get an all new management with all current position holders sacked on account of their performances.