A notification issued on Friday informed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has sacked its acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bernd Hildenbrand, media sources have reported.

According to the issued notification, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Nayyar Hayat has assumed the charge as acting CEO of the national flag-carrier.

In addition, the government had restricted German national Hildenbrand from leaving the country due to the ongoing investigation involving corruption charges against Hildenbrand, which Hildenbrand has denied.

In his defence, Hildenbrand is reported to have said that he is confident that he has done nothing wrong. In addition, he added that he took all decisions to the best of his ability and knowledge and were approved by the board of directors in compliance with the rules and regulations.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is currently investigating the scandals involving leasing of aircraft at higher than prevalent market rates from the Sri Lankan Airlines and selling of a worthy PIA A-310 aircraft to a German museum. As a result of this, PIA incurred losses of millions of dollars.

Hildenbrand has been on a 15-day leave since April 6. His name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) barring him from travelling abroad.