THIS is with reference to the news item about the aviation secretary pleading with the PAC that if the government wants PIA to succeed, then all unions should be banned. Wow, what a somersault! When Mr Gardezi was PIAC Chairman and defence secretary he pampered the unions. He would not take a single decision without PALPA Chief Sohail Baluch, who was then the joint leader of the so-called JACPIAE (Join Action Committee of PIA Employees).
Mr Gardezi went to the extent of forming a `way forward committee` led by Mr Baluch, who would recommend and approve all decisions in PIA. During those days it was practically `the way forward committee` that was running PIA. That committee was more powerful than the PIAC Board.
It was on the recommendation and approval of this committee that aircraft were brought on wet/dry lease.
Appointments of a junior first officer as GM Fuel, Mr Gardezi`s cousin as Director Safety and all postings and all transfers were done in close coordination between Mr Gardezi and the committee. Mr Gardezi is on record praising the committee several times.
When Mr Baluch lost the PALPA election and could not remain chief of the committee, Mr Gardezi approved Captain Baluch`s posting to New York as a coordinator in the works department so that he could oversee the sale of all PIA assets in the US. This was opposed by the new PALPA team. It, therefore, did not materialise.
It is shocking to hear that his views have changed so drastically. When he was PIA chairman and defence secretary it would have been very easy for him to do what he ispleading today.
Beingthe secretary ofaviation,heis the one who will have to put up a PC 1 to the prime minister for approval.
