THE humiliation PIA is suffering is its own doing. The national flag carrier’s top management did not even once consider the repercussions of allowing black sheep to join the airline.

Along with PIA, the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and PALPA (Pakistan Airline Pilots Association) are equally to blame. The former enjoyed perks and privileges to which their pilots with fake and dubious degrees were not entitled, whereas the latter issued permits for personal material gains. No one was worried about the safety of passengers or aircraft. They were not bothered about the shame their acts would bring to the country.

PALPA, which champions the cause of the pilots, is to blame because it chose to keep its eyes closed.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government is also to blame. The government, its aviation minister and the PIA chief executive kept quiet although they have been in power for two years.

It is time the government really brought about the change it had promised and which saw them voted into power.

Dr Sabeeh Haider
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2020