Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has come under criticism after promoting a senior engineer previously found guilty of negligence and irregularities by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The officer, who had been serving in an acting capacity for over a year, was elevated to a permanent position despite warnings from the CAA. The regulatory authority had highlighted serious administrative and operational concerns in PIA’s engineering department.
A PIA spokesperson defended the promotion, stating, “There is no compromise on safety issues. Merit prevails in the organization. The Civil Aviation Authority did not recommend removing any officer but only directed further improvement in the engineering department. The said officer has been promoted on merit.”
Official documents reveal that the CAA issued a formal warning to PIA, holding the chief engineer of base maintenance responsible for negligence and carelessness. The authority instructed the airline to make administrative improvements but did not explicitly demand the officer’s removal.
PIA emphasized that the promotion was based on qualifications and performance, stressing that safety standards remain uncompromised. The airline also maintained that all internal appointments follow merit-based procedures.
Critics argue that promoting an engineer previously found guilty of negligence undermines accountability and raises questions about transparency within Pakistan’s national carrier. Aviation experts say such decisions can affect public trust and the airline’s reputation.
This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of PIA’s operational and safety practices. The Civil Aviation Authority continues to monitor the airline, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and proper administrative management.
PIA’s decision highlights the balance between recognizing employee merit and maintaining accountability, a challenge faced by many national organizations. Analysts note that clear communication with regulators and the public is essential to avoid controversy.
The promotion of the engineer serves as a case study on how airlines handle regulatory warnings while making staffing decisions.
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