Transparency International Pakistan on October 18, 2012 had reported to MD PIA a serious complaint on the appointment of excess flight engineers on contract by PIA and violation of Establishment Division's directives. The complainant in 2012 had reported that against the requirement of 18 flight engineers for three Boeing 747 aircraft when PIA already had 21 regular flight engineers, and 18 pilots for these Boeing 747.
Also that the 21 flight engineers are getting paid guaranteed remuneration's of 70 hours flying time per month, and that the average flying time for last two months had been between 30-40 hrs/month. It meant that even the services of the present 21 flight engineers are under-utilised, but PIA is hiring nine additional flight engineers on one year contract, which is going to cost PIA at least Rs 50 million additional expenses, without any requirements.
The Managing Director at that time on TI-Pakistan's complaint had stopped the hiring of all such flight engineers who were illegally appointed on contract, and PIA was saved million of rupees extra expenditure. Chairman, TI-Pakistan, Sohail Muzaffar in a letter to acting Managing Director, PIA has informed him that a fresh complaint has now been received that under verbal orders of high ups in Islamabad "Sifarish" PIA which do not require any additional flight engineers, is going to appoint retired flight engineers on contract.
The following issues have been raised by the complainant:
1. Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly, has directed PIA management to appoint his cousin flight engineer Amir on contract at Rs 4 lac/month salary. He had retired six months ago, at 60 years of age.
2. That Captain Shujaat Azeem, Managing Director Shahnawaz Rehman & Director Flight Operations (DFO) Captain Qasim Hayat, are responsible for three such appointments and the summary to that effect has been raised by Director Flight Operations, Captain Qasim Hayat.
3. As per rules for any employment after 60, permission by name has to be obtained from Prime Minister and the posts "must" be advertised. This is violation of Supreme Court orders on appointment in Pakistan State Enterprises (PSEs) on merit and in transparent manner.
4. Secondly, as only one Boeing 747 will be used in Haj operation, the present strength of serving permanent employed flight engineers is sufficient to do 33 Hajj flights.
5. The average flying of each flight engineer shall be 40 hours/months, but they are paid guaranteed 50 hours/month during Hajj operation. Present flying is @35 hours/month but paid for 50 hours/month, whereas last month it averaged 20 hours/month.
6. Also on B-777 & Airbus A-310 the pilots are flying 100 hours/month average per person, but no contract pilot is hired by PIA after 60 years, while airline is paying more than 150 crore rupees to these @ 300 pilots every year on account of "Denied Rest" Excess Duty & "Days Off" payment the average remuneration of pilots on these aircraft has doubled as DFO is not promoting people on these aircrafts. This is the "additional annual loss" caused to airline by PIA management.
7. But on B-747, three flight engineers are taken on 'Sifarish' to cover-up when they are not required. It will cost PIA @ one core in revalidating their flying license/simulator/under supervision flying cost PIA @ 1-2 crore in Salary/year for three flight engineers who are not required at all.
8. Last year Haj operations were carried out by (2+1) = 3 B-747 aircrafts as a backup for any technical so that schedule is not affected PIA had 12 F/E s (6 F/Es per aircraft) as approved by management in 2012.
9. Now (1+1) = 2 B-747 will do Hajj operation, 1 for Hajj 2nd for backup & thus 6 F/Es are needed. PIA already has regular six F/Es on its parole.
10. That the three more flight engineers are taken to please Ayaz Sadiq (via Shujaat Azeem) so that position of Managing Director Shahnawaz Rehman and DFO Qasim Hayat remain secure after giving favour.
The new acting Managing Director has been requested to examine the complaint, which if true, includes serious allegations of nepotism on the PML N government, especially on you and Captain Shujaat Azeem Special Assistant to Prime Minister. There are many other allegations on PIA, and on Captain Shujaat Azeem of such nepotism in PIA and CAA.
"PIA is also requested to process the promotion of pilots on Boeing 747 and Airbus 310.310, and save as alleged annual wastage of Rs 150 crores. Copies of the letter have been forwarded for action under rules to: Secretary to Prime Minster, Islamabad, Chairman, NAB, Islamabad, and Registrar Supreme Court Pakistan, Islamabad.