Illegal Appointment of PIA CEO Declared

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Monday has declared the illegal appointment of Pakistan International Airlines’ chief executive officer (PIA CEO).

Express News reported the suspension of his role within the National Carrier.

The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar comprising of Justice Maqbool Baqar and Justice Faisal Arab, issued the order on Musharraf Rasool Cyan’s appointment as CEO. The bench further stated that the appointment violated existing rules and regulations and the suspension will be forwarded to the federal cabinet for further review.

In July, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had ordered to investigate the appointment of Musharraf Rasool Cyan as the CEO of the National Carrier. “NAB should investigate the PIA CEO’s appointment and the salary and perks offered to him,” ordered the chief justice.

Following the difficulties and protests at the Skardu airport against a four-hour delay of a Pakistan International Airlines Skardu-Islamabad flight, alleging that the airline management had sacrificed customers’ rights to favor Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials with an ‘air safari’ the chief justice had taken the suo motu notice.

Accusing Pakistan International Airlines of having delayed the flight to take VIP passengers from Islamabad on the ‘air safari’ around K-2, Nanga Parbat, and other mountain peaks, the passengers had complained that they were not even allowed to use the washrooms in the PIA waiting room in Skardu.