Tag: PIA

  • PIA air hostess slips away in Canada leaving ‘Thank you’ note behind

    PIA air hostess slips away in Canada leaving ‘Thank you’ note behind

    Another air hostess of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) allegedly went missing while on duty in Canada.

    The incident came to light when Maryam Raza, assigned to flight PK 782 from Pakistan to Toronto, failed to report for duty on the return flight, PK 784 from Toronto to Karachi.

    Upon investigation, a note expressing gratitude to PIA was discovered alongside her uniform hanging in her room. “Thank you, PIA”, she wrote, reports Samaa News.

    This marks the third reported case this year of PIA flight attendants allegedly ‘slipping’ while on duty, with two of them being women.

    Despite measures such as collecting passports of flight attendants assigned to Toronto flights to prevent such incidents, the effectiveness of these policies has come under scrutiny.

    Experts cite low pay and a lack of job security within the national airline as the primary reasons behind these alleged instances of slippage but above all it maligns the image of the country on an international level.

    Read more here: Two PIA flight attendants go missing in Canada

  • President Pakistan Olympic Association Lieutenant General (R) Arif Hasan resigned

    President Pakistan Olympic Association Lieutenant General (R) Arif Hasan resigned

    Pakistan Olympic Association (PAO) President Lieutenant General (retired) Arif Hasan resigned from his post after 19 years.

    Lt Gen Retd Arif Hasan wrote in a letter to the Executive Committee of the Pakistan Olympics Association members that he is resigning as President of POA on January 1, 2024.

    He further wrote that the decision was not easy but due to ill health, he needed help to continue the responsibility of heading such an important organization.

    Arif Hasan is currently living in America where he confirmed his resignation when contacted by Geo News, while Secretary POA Khalid Mahmood has also confirmed Arif Hasan’s resignation.

    Arif Hassan was appointed as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the South Asian Games in 2002, after which he remained active in Pakistan Sports, in 2004 he became the first President of the Pakistan Olympic Association and was then elected for four consecutive terms.

    After the resignation of Arif Hasan, the executive committee of the POA will temporarily decide on the acting president until the next elections.

  • Dhund nay kar dia safar mushkil

    Dhund nay kar dia safar mushkil

    A thick blanket of heavy fog has descended on different parts of Pakistan, severely impacting visibility and causing widespread transportation disruptions.

    Adverse weather conditions have compelled authorities to take precautionary measures, resulting in the closure of main highways and affecting air travel.

    The impact of the fog extends beyond Lahore, spreading as far as Mandi Bahauddin, Pindi Bhatian, Kot Addu, and Uch Sharif.

    Residents and commuters in these regions are urged to exercise caution and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.

    Sialkot and its surrounding regions, including Pasrur, Daska, and Sambrial, are grappling with reduced visibility levels, significantly disrupting traffic flow. Commuters are advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and road closures to ensure their safety.

    The fog has not only affected ground transportation but has also disrupted air travel. Multiple flights have been canceled, and others delayed, impacting cities in Sindh and Punjab.

    The closures of major motorways, including the M2, M3, M4, M5, and M11, further compound transportation challenges.

    In addition to the transportation disruptions, the air quality in Lahore has deteriorated, earning the city the unfortunate distinction of being the most polluted in the world.

    Meanwhile, dense fog in various cities of Sindh and Punjab has led to operational challenges for flights. The Pakistan International Airliner (PIA) spokesperson emphasizes the importance of obtaining flight information from the PIA Call Centre before heading to the airport, considering the potential disruptions caused by the fog.

    Over the past week, a total of 32 flights destined for Faisalabad, Multan, Lahore, and other Punjab airports had to be redirected to Islamabad International Airport due to the prevailing fog conditions.

    “Severe fog ongoing in the country has affected PIA flights from Lahore, Multan and Sialkot airport,” the airline’s spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, said in a statement, adding the PIA apologized for any inconvenience caused due to these operational challenges.

    “Low visibility and intensity of fog pose difficulties in flight operations,” he added. “Flights from Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot may be canceled, changed or delayed due to fog.”

    Khan noted that flight operations were usually affected in these cities in winter.

    “All passengers are urged to obtain information about their flights from the PIA call center before heading to the airport,” he added.

    Unusual Winter Conditions Across Northwest India:

    Meanwhile, across Northwest India, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, a thick blanket of fog has descended, impacting visibility levels. Despite the fog, winter temperatures are milder than usual for this time of the year.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that night temperatures in north-western states remain higher than normal, with at least 2-3°C above-normal readings in several regions. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8°C, one degree above normal, with daytime temperatures reaching 22°C.

    Meteorologists attribute the warmer winter to the absence of strong western disturbances, traditionally responsible for winter rainfall over North India. Additionally, global warming is increasingly influencing weather patterns throughout the year, delaying the onset of winter and reducing the intensity of cold waves.

  • Two PIA flight attendants go missing in Canada

    Two PIA flight attendants go missing in Canada

    Two flight attendants, Khalid Meh­mood and Feda Hussain, slipped away in Canada shortly after Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK 772 landed in Toronto.

    The spokesperson for PIA confirmed the ‘escape’ of the two senior flight attendants who vanished from the airport instead of coming back to the country.

    “On its scheduled return to Islamabad, the two senior crew members did not turn up in Toronto. The flight of the national flag carrier had to return back to Islamabad without the two flight attendants,” the spokesperson told the Dawn.

    Similar incidents have been reported in the past when members of the flight crew sneaked away upon arrival in Canada. Four of them have slipped away in 2023.

    According to ARY News, PIA has now issued a directive to include flight attendants aged above 50 years among crew members of international flights to Canada and other countries. This age limit is imposed in light of instances of young air hostesses and cabin crew slipping away upon arrival.

    Local authorities in Canada have been informed about the two staff members and their services would be terminated after a departmental investigation.

  • PIA receives assurances of govt support during privatisation 

    PIA receives assurances of govt support during privatisation 

    Following a dire fuel crisis that significantly impacted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations, the interim Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, took decisive action on Monday.  

    He instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the privatisation process of the nation’s flag carrier. 

    Over recent weeks, PIA’s flight schedule has faced severe disruption, with numerous cancellations attributed to fuel shortages, exacerbated by the airline’s precarious financial situation.  

    Notably, on the preceding day, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) curtailed its fuel supply to PIA, resulting in the cancellation of 26 flights originating from various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gwadar, and others. 

    Chairing a comprehensive review meeting concerning PIA’s financial challenges, Prime Minister Kakar highlighted the urgency of finalising the privatisation process within the stipulated timeframe. He further insisted on the submission of regular compliance reports on this matter. 

    The Prime Minister assured that the government remains committed to supporting PIA until the privatisation process is successfully completed. He said that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) facing financial losses will be privatised to safeguard the national treasury. 

    During this meeting, the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing on PIA’s current financial status. 

    In August 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) approved the inclusion of PIA in the active list of entities slated for privatisation following parliamentary amendments.  

    Additionally, the CCoP consented to engage a financial advisor for the transaction concerning PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel in New York. 

    According to credible sources, a significant transformation occurred when PIA transitioned from a corporation to a public limited company registered under the Companies Ordinance, 1984.  

    This transition commenced in 2016 through a joint parliamentary session that resulted in the enactment of the PIAC (Conversion) Act, 2016.  

    This legislation gave rise to Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), a public limited company.  

    Notably, a substantial amendment was introduced, known as the ‘Explanation’ in Sub-section 4 of Section 4, which restricted the federal government from relinquishing management control in the airline business of PIACL while maintaining a minimum ownership stake of 51% in the entity. 

  • Private airlines seize opportunity to charge high fares amid PIA flight disruptions

    Private airlines seize opportunity to charge high fares amid PIA flight disruptions

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the nation’s flagship carrier, is grappling with operational challenges caused by a shortage of fuel. 

    Concurrently, private airlines are capitalising on this situation for their own advantage.

    In light of the disruption in PIA’s flight operations, private airlines have swiftly increased their fares. Domestic flights are now priced at a range of Rs40,000 to Rs70,000, with Lahore-Karachi routes reaching as high as Rs49,000 per seat. 

    Meanwhile, one-way fares from Karachi to Islamabad are commanding prices between Rs55,000 and Rs61,000.

    This development follows a week of disruptions in PIA’s domestic flight schedule, resulting in a surge of intending passengers. A spokesperson for a private airline attributed the disparity in demand and supply to this sudden influx of travellers.

    Simultaneously, PIA’s financial predicament is deepening, with the cancellation of 35 domestic and foreign flights. The interruption in fuel supply has also caused significant delays for both domestic and international flights across the country. Airline administrations have scrambled to create new departure schedules for these affected flights.

    Regarding outstanding dues, the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) revealed that PIA owed Rs3.45 billion for fuel supplied between October 1 and 18, with an additional Rs195 million provided on the mentioned Thursday. 

    The total liabilities for the current month have reached Rs2.11 billion, compounding PIA’s existing debt of Rs26 billion accumulated over the years. A provisional agreement between PSO and PIA for daily fuel supply in exchange for daily payments has been established.

    The current turmoil in PIA’s flight operations is primarily attributable to the suspension of fuel supply by the Pakistan State Oil due to non-payment of dues. 

    According to Samaa, the suspension has impacted Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, although international flights remain unaffected. PIA’s financial woes have already led to flight cancellations and delays, making the fuel supply suspension a significant setback for the struggling airline.

  • Loss-making PIA announced bonuses for employees on their “good performance”

    Loss-making PIA announced bonuses for employees on their “good performance”

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), one of the biggest money-losing entities in the country, has ironically announced that they will pay their employees an increment for “good performance”.

    As reported by The News, PIA’s management announced the bonus for the performance of the employees over the last six months, from April to September. The bonus will be implemented by October 2023. The amount that was decided is tantamount to the bonus issued in 2022.

    PIA is going through a monthly loss of Rs 12 billion and a total loss of over Rs 740 billion but the bonus that was announced is Rs 915 million. The increment in salaries will be 5-10 percent paid on March 31, 2023. The employees who are told to leave on or before October were recruited recently or got a promotion or salary increase in these six months are not eligible for it.

    The airline has announced this expenditure while it is grappling with issues of fuel outages and financial loss. According to Caretaker Federal Minister for Privatization Fawad Hasan Fawad, 15 out of 34 PIA aircraft are grounded, the airline is operating with only 19 aircraft and some of them are also not fully operational. The gap between income (22 billion) and expense(34 billion) which is increasing with time.

    Amidst the ongoing debate of privatization, PIA has taken a loan of Rs260 billion from commercial banks on a government guarantee. It is not paying tax of Rs1.25 billion to the FBR and has not been able to pay more than Rs1 billion per month to Civil Aviation.

  • PM Kakar pushes for speedy privatisation of financially troubled state-owned enterprises

    Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, in a meeting held on Monday, directed the relevant authorities to expedite the privatisation process of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that are experiencing financial losses.

    Stressing the importance of this privatisation effort, the Prime Minister emphasised its role in safeguarding the national treasury from further deficits.

    During this meeting, Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan Fawad provided a detailed update on the progress made in the privatisation of these enterprises.

    PM Kakar also commended the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for its commendable contributions to this endeavor. 

    It’s worth noting that the caretaker Premier had previously issued similar directives to accelerate the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a loss-making entity.

    This development comes in response to reports suggesting that unless emergency funding is secured, PIA’s flight operations could face suspension.

    A senior PIA director revealed that the operational fleet had been reduced from 23 to 16 aircraft, resulting in the cancellation of numerous flights.

  • PIA’s Boeing 777 planes encounter more technical issues due to lack of maintenance 

    PIA’s Boeing 777 planes encounter more technical issues due to lack of maintenance 

    Due to a serious lack of maintenance and repair work, numerous Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s national flag carrier, have experienced technical problems during international flights, according to reliable sources. 

    These technical issues within PIA’s aircraft have been steadily increasing due to the neglect of essential maintenance and repair tasks by the airline’s engineering department, as disclosed by insiders interviewed by ARY News. This unfortunate trend not only puts the safety of PIA flights at risk but also causes significant inconveniences for passengers and financial difficulties for the airline. 

    Sources have revealed that several Boeing 777 aircraft faced technical problems during flights to Saudi Arabia, resulting in substantial expenses for their repair and upkeep. In a recent incident, during the boarding process for Jeddah-Lahore flight PK-760, the auxiliary power unit (APU) exhaust malfunctioned, requiring the pilot to activate an emergency brake and initiate a fire control procedure. 

    The consequences of this incident were significant, leading to a delay of over a day for the affected flight as the aircraft had to be grounded due to the fault. Interestingly, this was the second such incident reported in a single day. Prior to this incident, another PIA plane flying from Sialkot to Jeddah experienced smog warnings within the cockpit. 

    In response to these events, the PIA spokesperson issued a statement reassuring passengers aboard the grounded plane that arrangements were being made for their prompt departure from Lahore to Jeddah. 

  • PIA to be privatised: assets, debt and staff to be transferred

    PIA to be privatised: assets, debt and staff to be transferred

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has been running at a loss, has unveiled its privatisation plan. Sources indicate that this plan encompasses not only the privatisation of PIA but also the power distribution companies and the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills.

    Furthermore, it has been reported that the process of appointing a financial advisor for PIA’s privatisation is underway. While PIA’s affiliated institution will remain unaffected by privatisation, plans have been solidified to address issues related to PIA’s debt and government guarantees.

    According to ARY News, the Privatisation Commission sources have disclosed that, under the current circumstances, Pakistan Steel Mills cannot be privatised. However, efforts will be made to enhance the mill’s production and capabilities to attract potential investors.

    It’s worth noting that the restructuring plan for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is progressing rapidly. The PIA administration has invited applications from legal and corporate firms for assistance in this restructuring plan. The Department of Contract Management has been instructed to forward these applications by October 6.

    The assets of PIA, including properties, debts, aircraft, and employees, will be transferred to the new company, presenting PIA as a debt-free organisation to potential investors.