KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has incurred a staggering loss exceeding Rs21.81 billion primarily attributed to the prolonged grounding of its aircraft for routine maintenance.
The Auditor General’s report highlights that the maintenance procedures for forty-four to forty-two days extended significantly beyond the expected duration, resulting in substantial operational and financial setbacks for the national carrier. The audit revealed that the airline’s management was made aware of the maintenance delays and their repercussions as early as September 2012. Despite these warnings, the issue persisted, leading to a considerable financial burden.
The report underscored that the management failed to provide adequate documentary evidence to justify the prolonged grounding of the planes or to address other related financial discrepancies. This latest revelation compounds existing concerns over PIA’s financial management, following previous reports highlighting irregularities amounting to Rs. 38 billion and 40 crores. The recurring nature of these issues has raised significant apprehensions about the airline’s operational oversight and financial integrity.
Management officials have attributed the delays and financial strain to ongoing financial constraints and payment issues, which have reportedly hindered timely repairs and maintenance of the fleet. However, the audit’s findings call into question the effectiveness of the airline’s management in addressing these critical operational challenges.
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