MAY 22 - According to local news channels, Managing Director PIA Air Chief Marshal (retd.) Rao Qamar Suleman has been appointed as Chairman of the airline. He replaces Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar who had been holding position of Chairman PIA since May 2008.

Qamar will hold both positions i.e. MD PIA and Chairman PIA. He was appointed as MD PIA in March 2012 few days after his retirement as Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force.

Abbas

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Rao Qamar Suleman Nominated as Chairman & CEO of PIA

Lahore, May 23, 2012: Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman (retired) has been nominated as the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) under the polices and guidelines of the PIA Act 1956. He is the 14th Chairman and CEO of the airline.

The Chairman of the National Flag Carrier has pledged to continue the work done by the outgoing Chairman, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister of Defence and is honored to be entrusted with the critical task of turning around PIA that faces major challenges. The Chairman has complete faith in the loyal and hardworking employees of the airline and hopes to come up to the expectations of the entire PIA family.

The National Flag Carrier has a meritorious history and it is now time that its past glory is restored with present and future successes. The entire Nation has its eyes fixed on the airline and with Allah’s help and the support of the Nation, the employees of the airline are ready, willing and able to meet the challenges. Insha Allah.

Source: PIA Press Release (May 23, 2012)

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Progression in life both professional and social is a legitimate ambition without which human life would become meaningless. This ambition however has to be progressive i.e progression towards higher goals, objectives, status and challenges.
Though my airline friends may not fully agree, yet in my opinion, being a fighter pilot is the ultimate in aviation and only being an experimental test pilot or an astronaut can be more challenging or professionally demanding. Add to that the honor of leading a combat air force of a country, is the ultimate an individual can dream of and achieve. This is an honor nothing else can surpass. Amongst thousands who aspire to join air force, only a very few, only the very best and only the luckiest of all who amongst so many other qualities ‘survive’ the rigours and hazards of fighter flying, reach such an elusive pinnacle. Add to this the ‘fringe’ benefits armed forces chiefs enjoy in our social and political milieu.
With this background I always wonder why a newly retired air chief (Mr Qamar Sulaiman in this case) should accept to become MD, and later (demand to become) chairman PIA. Lacking the business acumen, commercial expertise and political mastermind, the chances of turning around this moribund airline are remote if not impossible for Mr Sulaiman. He would do himself and the prestigious organization has just led by remaining aloof and enjoy the honor of being and ex Airforce Chief than being a ‘sacked’ (in future) chairman PIA.