Saqib Aziz given the additional charge of PIA CEO

The government of Pakistan has given the additional charge of CEO PIA to secretary aviation Saqib Aziz who was also appointed as the chairman of PIA. PIA board of directors on Tuesday appointed Aviation Secretary Muhammad Saqib Aziz as its new chairman with immediate effect.Chairman & CEO PIA, Saqib Aziz immediately after assuming the charge of CEO held an introductory meeting at the airline’s Head Office with Departmental Chiefs and senior management. He said there will be no compromise on policies and discipline ought to be maintained at all levels. Saqib Aziz said that all employees should work collectively and in harmony for the betterment of airline. He emphasized upon the departmental heads to take responsibility for smooth functioning of work in all areas. He assured them of his full support and cooperation towards achievement of targets.

Chairman & CEO PIA took notice of the stranded Hujjaj of a private airline coming from Saudi Arabia bound for Quetta and instructed PIA officials to operate special flights for transporting the stranded Hujjaj. He said PIA being the national flag carrier should play its role in helping people and especially Hujjaj as a national cause. Later a PIA flight PK8310 carried the stranded Hujjaj from Karachi to Quetta the same day

After the departure of Irfan Illahi former chairman, Ijaz Munir took over the position of chairman. Chief Justice of Pakistan in a surprise decision nullified the appointment of PIA CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan against its own decision to let Islamabad high court and government of Pakistan deal with the matter. This is the second time that Secretary aviation, chairman PIA and CEO PIA will be the same person.

According to information available “Aziz holds vast experience of administration in the civil services of Pakistan. Before joining as aviation secretary, he served as Capital Administration and Development Division secretary,”

Interestingly secretary aviation oversees civil aviation authority that looks after the whole aviation industry but the government of PMLN and PTI both have violated this basic rule of transparency and conflict of interest by appointing secretary aviation as chairman PIA and CEO.

On the other hand, the old guard of PIA is busy lobbying for the CEO position. Zia Qadir the sacked COO is seen in Islamabad trying to gain an audience with PM Imran Khan and trying to portray to finance minister that he was the brain behind the turnaround V1 project. Previously he was seen at Bani Gala trying to get closer to the newly elected government.

Nayyar Hayat who was sacked for the second time from the position of CFO and is facing the grilling from the office of auditor general about missing billions from PIA account is also trying hard to gain the confidence of the new administration. And the usual suspects in Karachi press are putting stories out to project their intentions.