Air Marshal Arshad Malik has taken over the charge as CEO and President of Pakistan International Airlines. Arshad Malik was appointed as the chairman of PIA on 11 October but today it was announced that he has taken charge as CEO and president. A position vacated by Musharraf Rasool Cyan who was sacked the Chief Justice of Pakistan.In a video message released today the new CEO and President reassured: “there will be no retrenchment in PIA, all employees to work in harmony to bring back the past glory of the airline.”
Arshad Malik has served more than forty 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-Imtiaz (M) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (M) by Government of Pakistan.
He also served as Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra 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.
In a message to PIA employees, Air Marshal 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.
In his introductory message, he said that he was well aware of the problems, constraints and challenges being faced by the airline but he will do his best to overcome these. Air Marshal Arshad Malik said that though the airline is 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 is no doubt that PIA will once again attain its past glory .
He said that the way forward is though difficult but certainly achievable. PIA is the National Flag Carrier of the entire Nation 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.
Arshad Malik said that the basic points for PIA’s betterment will 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 is able to pay out its liabilities. The present system of the airline will be brought at par with the best standards and practices in the aviation industry. He said that PIA Human Resources is 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.
He said that it is the duty and responsibility of everyone in the airline to work for the betterment of the airline and there is no doubt that PIA will In Sha Allah achieve great success very soon.