PIA barred from replacing logo of flag with Markhor on planes

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Sunday restrained the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from using the image of Markhor on its planes till further orders.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who headed a two-judge bench of the apex court, took notice of the national flag carrier’s replacing national flag with endangered species of Markhor on its planes.

When asked about the airline planing to paint an animal on the aircraft’s tails, the managing director of PIA, Musharraf Rasool, said the picture of Markhor will be placed.

To another query about the cost that the loss-making entity will have to bear due to redesigning of the planes,he said it will cost the airline Rs2.7 million for revamp of single plane.

Upon this, the chief justice said the cost will be Rs3.4 million, not Rs2.7 million and wondered if PIA is a profit-earning entity that a huge amount is being spent for the purpose.

The CJP said the federal government has given a Rs20 billion bailout package to turn the airline into a profitable organization and not for placing the picture of the animal on aircraft.

The PIA MD said that only single plane has been redesigned with Markhor on its tail.

CJP Nisar asked the MD to explain as to why the flight he boarded a day earlier took off one-and-a-half-hour late.

To which, Rasool said the flight was delayed because of some technical issue.

Comments

comments