ISLAMABAD
The Supreme Court (SC) while rejecting PIA plea seeking permission for appointment of 250 employees including 80 pilots has summoned business plan and details of revenue.
The court has said in its order PIA should tell the new employees have to be appointed why and on what posts. The salaries of the employees will be paid from where. If new routes have to be started then the details of routes for new planes and payment be also provided.
The petition in connection with appointment of new employees came up for hearing before a 3-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan raised the question during the hearing of the case when total planes are 30 then more 80 pilots will do what. The institution is meeting its expenses with difficulties. It will pay the cost of planes from where. 6000 employees were retrenched and now the situation is being taken to that point by making new appointments.
Justice Mazahir Naqvi remarked all the routes of PIA including Europe, US and Canada stand shut. No one wants to sit in PIA for domestic flight.
Suleman Akram Raja counsel for PIA told the court SC had imposed ban on new appointments in PIA in 2018. Special permission was accorded for appointments in connection with Hajj operation in 2019. PIA can not make appointments on its own as per SC 2018 orders. PIA wants to make new appointments in connection with purchase of 5 new planes. New operations have to be started.
On inquiring, PIA Chief Financial Officer told the court there were overall 370 pilots in PIA and 34 out of them have resigned. PIA earned Rs 154 billion in 11 months. PIA itself is bearing the expenses of the existing operations. PIA has 20 planes of its own and 10 are on lease. 7 planes of PIA take part in international operations. More than 600 employees have been laid off since 2018.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked the financial officer has depicted an exquisite picture while facts run contrary to it.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till the first week of January.
