PIA, US Air Force, others owe CAA Rs35 billion

ISLAMABAD: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told a sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other international airlines owe more than Rs35 billion to the Authority.
Civil Aviation Division Secretary Muhammad Ali Gardezi told the committee that the PIA owes Rs35 billion while the US Air Force and other international airlines owe more than Rs57.216 million to the CAA. The committee was informed that some of the defaulter airlines had closed their flight operations in Pakistan. The committee directed to pursue recovery of outstanding amount and take up the matter with the authorities concerned.
Secretary Aviation told the committee that contacts were made for recovery of dues from the US Air Force and it was also brought into the notice of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during his visit to the United States. It was informed that Rs57.216 million was recovered from the airlines, Rs41.048 from non-active airlines. During the examination of the audit paras relating to the PIA, it was revealed that the PIA hired three chefs as consultant flight kitchen with a salary of Rs200,000 each and all facilities equivalent to the General Manager in violation of rules that caused heavy losses to the national kitty.