ISLAMABAD: Shujaat Azeem, former advisor of the Prime Minister on Civil Aviation, has claimed that the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) losses were reduced by 37 per cent during his tenure as he took several steps for improvement in the national-flag carrier.
While talking to media, he said that he had not sought the slot for himself but accepted this as a challenge on an honorary basis on the request of the prime minister. He said he took foreign nationality in 1995, adding dual nationals are in no way second grade citizens as they send remittances worth $13 billion per year. He said he made all his investment in Pakistan and have 3500 employees in various businesses, adding his businesses are suffering due to this assignment.
He said that the prime minister re-designated him as his Special Assistant requesting to bring about improvement in aviation industry and PIA. He said since he assumed the charge PIA’s revenue increased by 6 per cent. Without legacy loans, PIA will be at a break even. “PIA posted an operating profit of PKR 2.83 billion in Q1 2015,” he added.
Likewise, he said since his joining in February 2014 a turnaround has been witnessed in the field of aviation. In addition major improvements have been brought in the affairs of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Airport Security Force (ASF) and Meteorology Department which would not have been possible without my personal supervision.
