Well aware of problems, challenges faced by PIA: newly-appointed president

KARACHI: Newly-appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik said that he was well aware of the problems, constraints and challenges being faced by the airline but he would do his best to overcome those.

“There will be no retrenchment in PIA, all employees will work in harmony to bring back the past glory of the airline,” he said soon after assuming the charge at the airline’s Head Office on Friday.

Arshad Malik has served more than 40 years with Pakistan Air Force and rose to the rank of air marshal. Prior to joining PIA, he was serving as vice chief of the air staff. He has undertaken a number of management and leadership courses both inland and abroad.

He is a graduate of NDU (National Defence University) and qualified ‘Air Command and Staff Course’ from the USA. He has also undertaken senior management course from Harvard University, USA. He is a seasoned fighter pilot bestowed with Hilal-e-Imtiaz (M), Sitara-e-Imtaiz (M) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (M) by the government of Pakistan.

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Malik also served as chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra where he along with his team successfully negotiated and concluded sale of around 100 Super Mushshak aircraft to Qatar, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Nigeria thus bringing in precious foreign exchange to the national exchequer. He also undertook the negotiation for sale of JF 17 aircraft in advance stages with a number of potential countries.

In a message to PIA employees, Arshad Malik said he is grateful to Allah Almighty for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation in the new arena. He said he is also grateful to the Government of Pakistan for showing confidence in him for the revival and turnaround of PIA.

He said that though the airline was facing financial and administrative problems but with his strong faith in Almighty Allah and based on the principles of the founder of the Nation Quaid -e- Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (Unity , Faith and Discipline), there was no doubt that PIA would once again attain its past glory .

He said that the way forward was though difficult but certainly achievable. “PIA is the national flag carrier and all PIA employees will have to put in hard work with utmost sincerity and dedication to bring back the past glory of the airline within the shortest possible time.”

The CEO PIA said that the basic points for PIA’s betterment would be to improve upon the overall flight regularity, punctuality and with improved services for passengers, to increase the revenues of the airline aimed at profitability where the airline was able to pay out its liabilities.

The present system of the airline will be brought at par with best standards and practices in the aviation industry. He said that PIA Human Resources was a national asset and there would be no retrenchment in the airline. However, he vowed not to tolerate those found trying to tarnish the image of the airline or Pakistan.

He said that it was the duty and responsibility of everyone in the airline to work for the betterment of the airline and there was no doubt that PIA will In Sha Allah achieve great success very soon.