‘There will be no retrenchment in PIA and all employees will work in harmony to bring back past glory of the airline’
KARACHI: Although Pakistan International Airline is facing financial and administrative problems, but if the airline work on the principles of Quaid-e-Azam, there is no doubt that PIA will once again attain its past glory, said PIA President and CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik soon after assuming the charge at the airline’s head office on Friday.
“There will be no retrenchment in PIA and all employees will work in harmony to bring back the past glory of the airline,” he said in a message to the PIA employees.
Arshad Malik said he is grateful to the government for showing confidence in him for the revival and turnaround of PIA, adding that he was well aware of the problems, constraints and challenges being faced by the airline.
He said that the way forward may be difficult but it is achievable. “PIA is the national carrier of Pakistan and all its employees will have to put in hard work with utmost sincerity and dedication to bring back the past glory of the airline within a short period of time,” he asserted.
Highlighting important steps to be taken the airline’s revival, Arshad Malik said it is necessary to improve PIA’s overall flight regularity, punctuality, services, and revenues so that the airline is able to payout its liabilities.
“The present system of the airline will be brought at par with best standards and practices in the aviation industry,” he said, adding that PIA human resources are a national asset and there will be no retrenchment in the airline. However, he vowed not to tolerate those found trying to tarnish the image of the airline or Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention Arshad Malik served Pakistan Air Force for over 40 years and rose to the rank of Air Marshal. Prior to joining PIA, he was serving as the vice chief of the air staff. He has undertaken a number of management and leadership courses both inland and abroad.
A graduate of National Defence University (NDU) and qualified Air Command and Staff Course from USA, he also undertook senior management course from the prestigious 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.
He also served as the chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, where he along with his team, successfully negotiated and concluded the 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.
