APROPOS the revelations made in ‘PIA’s Free Fall’ in Eos (Nov 26). This should be a matter of great concern for all Pakistanis. So much has been written about the plight of PIA in the past decade that it will be a waste of time and print space to add to it.

My only concern is why government agencies like NAB and FIA are sleeping and not paying attention to all this bizarre brigandage being perpetrated in PIA. These ill-wishers of the airline are consuming a huge chunk of tax payers’ money to feather their nests and have brought a once proud icon among air carriers to a sorry state.

I earnestly pray that the day will come when the people who ruined sterling corporations like PIA and the profit-making Pakistan Steel Mills, are taken to task and given exemplary punishment.

M. Irshad Jan
Karachi

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THESE days PIA is very much in the news, mostly adverse. However, 50 years ago PIA was the fastest growing airline in Asia. It was phasing out vintage piston engine aircraft and inducting jets such as Boeing 720B/707 and the Trident.

Its employees were proud to be associated with PIA and were driven by a burning desire to excel. An acute shortage of facilities and equipment was overcome by ingenuity and improvisation. Profits were increasing and huge bonuses were given to employees every year.

During its glory days PIA was ranked among the top 10 airlines of the world.

Singapore Airlines, Air Malta, Yugolslav Airlines, Somalia Airlines and Emirates were provided technical assistance. Even Saudia approached PIA to establish their airline.

Discipline was strict. Being late for work by more than 15 minutes would cost an employee half a day’s pay. Accountability was absolute. Any loss caused to the airline through negligence would result in severe financial punishment. The words corruption, maladministration and incompetence were unheard of.

If the same conditions are created today, PIA can still be revived.

Asif Jah
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2017