Govt striving to uplift standards of PIA: advisor

PESHAWAR: While turning down the speculations regarding the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Advisor to Prime Minister on aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan said the government is striving to uplift standards of the national airline.

Speaking to media during a visit to Bacha Khan International airport, the adviser said that PIA is not only the national airline but has also enjoyed an exemplary and memorable past which paved an ideal path for different international airlines.

“It is very unfortunate that this institution lost its all dignity and performance because of corruption and poor management which resulted in the financial deficit of this airline,” he said.

He informed the financial deficit of PIA last year was Rs36 billion, while rapid work is being done at the cost of Rs3 billion to modernise and upgrade the airline as per international standards.

The advisor also inspected different areas of the Bacha Khan International airport, and was briefed about the existing condition, expansion and renovation work at the airport.

Sardar Mehtab further added that government has no intention to privatize PIA yet, and has decided to modernise and upgrade it on commercial basis by inducting the latest modern technology to maximise efficiency and productivity.

He said they are well aware of weak areas which need to be reformed, and have started to restructure administrative and operational matters including safety measures, manage flight delay, and purchase of new airplanes to ensure the best services.

He vowed to run the PIA on a commercial basis in a professional way based on open merit and transparency, and show no tolerance towards any non-compliance or compromise on quality in the restructuring process.