KARACHI: Expressing concern over the “lack of planning” on the part of the Pakistan International Airlines’ chief of flight operations (CFO), the Civil Aviation Authority has advised the official to put the “house in order,” it is learnt.

According to highly placed sources, the CAA’s advice has been communicated by PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Musharraf Rasool Cyan to CFO pilot Uzair Khan, who is doing things on “ad hoc basis”, advising him to act immediately on the advice of the regulator (CAA).

The sources said that the CEO’s principal staff officer, Taha Imran, has sent a letter to CFO Khan on the subject “Pilot training concerns raised by CAA”.

Mr Imran in his Nov 13 letter to Mr Khan says, “I am directed by the CEO to communicate some concerns from CAA: “DG CAA has instructed to me to convey to you on his behalf that CFO PIA Uzair Khan and his subordinate team in office are not planning anything in time and keep doing things on ad hoc basis.

“While in Bangkok for checks, PIA dispatched two additional pilots without any pre planning or information, and wanted that their checks done on the simulator slots which were beyond the date for which they were authorised for CAA flight inspectors.

“PIA positioned the pilots in Bangkok and CAA had no time available to complete paper work at CAA end due to slackness at PIA end. The CAA has obliged till now, it is high time PIA Operations put their house in order,” the CAA advice adds.

As CFO, the CEO would like you (Mr Khan) to take timely and appropriate action and submit compliance report immediately, adds Mr Imran in his letter.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2017