ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedures and Privileges on Thursday observed that PIA being a service oriented organization should post the best possible staff at the counters so as to facilitate the general public.

The observation was made by the committee which met here under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi while considering the privilege motion moved by Senator Kalsoom Parveen on the alleged misbehaviour at the PIA counter, Islamabad airport.

The committee directed the Ministry of Defence to hold proper inquiry into the incident. During consideration of the privilege motion it was pointed out that parliamentary counters which were established at airports to facilitate parliamentarians had not been functional.

Secretary defence assured the committee that parliamentary counters at the airports would be made functional. He further said that the government was taking steps to improve the services with a view to make the national flag career more competitive.

The committee also considered the privilege motion moved by Senator Khurshid Ahmed on the alleged refusal of security agencies to permit him to see ailing scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

The meeting was attended by senators Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Naeem Hussain Chattha, Mian Raza Rabbani, Dr Mohammad Ismail, Prof Khurshid Ahmed, Hameedullah Jan Afridi and Hafiz Abdul Malik Qadri.

Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kamil Ali Agha, federal secretaries and other officials also participated in the meeting.