So in the latest news surrounding the saga of appointing a CEO who will take charge of the national carrier it has been confirmed that the federal cabinet have given the green light for the appointment of a new chairman to head the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Moreover, the decision came after a court hearing in which Chief Justice of Pakistan (JCP), Justice Gulzar Ahmed had asked some critical questions on the incumbent chief, Air Marshal Arshad Malik’s appointment, which was on the basis of Air Force command, the main issue here was how a serving Air Marshal could also head a semi-government Airline.
Its should be noted that the efforts of Air Marshal Arshad Malik have proven to be instrumental while implementing strategies to improve the airline’s public image and increase its revenues to levels which were not seen for over two decades now. The CJP asked only had an issue of an in-service Pakistan Air Force officer being appointed as CEO of the national flag carrier. Justice Gulzar asked Malik to abide by the law and step down from any one of the two posts.
These remarks were stated during the hearing of a petition filed by the PIA chief seeking a stay order on the Sindh High Court’s decision, which stopped him from acting as the PIA chairman. In turn, according to the reports, the CJP’s observation was based on a report which was submitted by the Additional Attorney General who deemed his appointment as PIA chief illegal and the by all means wrong.
Now who will take the charge, well if media reports are to be believed then, Aslam R Khan who was the former Managing Director of PIA, is the favorite candidate for the post. There have also been reports which suggest that the Air Marshal may have to step down as the CEO of PIA or else he will be disqualified from the post. All will be revealed soon enough at the Supreme Court when it resumes the hearing of the case on March 11.
