FIA summons ex-board of directors in PIA Premier Service case

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has summoned former Pakistan International Airline (PIA) board of directors including former secretary aviation in case of buying of PIA Premier Service aircraft on expensive lease, ARY News reported on Sunday.

Sources said the board members had given green light for buying Airbus plane from Sri Lankan Airlines on expensive lease.

PIA administration had to pay $8,000 per hour a day for six months for the aircrafts that were purchased on lease for its premier service. It had purchased the aircraft at a cost of over $19 million.

The national airliner also had to pay the salaries to its foreign staff and the lease cost as well.

Sources said those who have been summoned include former secretary Irfan Elahi, former secretary board Younis Khan and board members Aslam Khaleeq, Nazeer Ahmed, Ghayyasuddin and Yawar Ali.

They said the board members were informed about the possible financial loss from the service.

The Premier Service which was started on August 14, 2016 was halted in February 2017. The service which continued for about six months incurred loss of more than 2.5 billion rupees.

The FIA has summoned the board members under inquiry number 2018/53 for recording statements.

On Mar 3, 2017, PIA had returned the Airbus A-330 aircraft to Sri Lankan Airlines that it was using for its premier services.

Sources had said that the seat and load factor of the aircrafts — for its London flights — was not according to plan.

The national carrier had reportedly faced a financial loss of Rs. 700 million within four months of its inauguration.