ISLAMABAD
Federal Government’s criminal delay has become a disaster for Pakistan International Airline (PIA).
The Ministry of Religious Affairs also became a participant in the recent PIA crisis. Despite the availability of Rs.550 million, the Ministry of Religious Affairs was unable to pay the PIA.
According to PIA sources, if the Ministry of Religious Affairs makes payments, the problems of non-availability of fuel can be solved.
Federal Secretary of Religious Affairs could not be appointed even after 40 days. Aftab Akbar Durrani, Grade 22 Secretary of Religious Affairs, was transferred as Federal Secretary on September 18. Due to the absence of a Federal Secretary, the upcoming Hajj and other matters of the Ministry of Religious Affairs are also pending.
Under the official Hajj scheme, PIA was entrusted with the responsibility of transporting 50% of the pilgrims to the Holy Hijaz.
61461 Pakistani pilgrims traveled through PIA this year while 258 flights were operated to bring pilgrims back home.
136 flights were operated from Jeddah and 122 from Madinah, the Ministry of Religious Affairs collected 250,000 rupees per person for air travel from the pilgrims.
According to the documents, the Ministry of Religious Affairs could not pay the full amount to PIA even after 2 months of completing the Hajj operation. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has to pay Rs 550 million to PIA.
If the Ministry of Religious Affairs makes the payments, the problems of non-availability of fuel can be solved.
The national airline lost more than 8 billion as 340 flights were canceled due to lack of fuel in 11 days.
On the other hand, the Federal Minister of Religious Affairs, Aniq Ahmed, has said that due to the vacancy of the post of Secretary of Religious Affairs, the payment to the airline companies has been blocked.
All airlines, including PIA, have been paid 95% of the air fare for the last Hajj.
The remaining 5 percent payment to the airlines is released on completion of account investigation and reconciliation.
The approval of the Principal Accounting Officer of the Ministry (Federal Secretary) is mandatory for the payment of such sums. Due to the vacancy of the post of Secretary, Religious Affairs, the payment to the airlines has been stalled.
The appointment of the Secretary of Religious Affairs by the federal government is awaited.
After the appointment of Secretary Religious Affairs, the airlines will be paid.
Over 50 flights have been canceled due to PIA’s financial crisis
More than 50 flights have been canceled due to financial crisis of PIA.
PIA has started flights on domestic routes after certain international routes, PIA has restored flights from Islamabad to Gilgit.
A large number of tourists were stranded due to the closure of PIA’s domestic route, a large number of foreign tourists were waiting for flights in Gilgit and Skardu. After the notice of Tourism Wasi Shah, PIA started the flight to Gilgit.
PIA makes ATR flights functional for Gilgit PK 602 departs Islamabad airport with one hour delay.
