PIA ex-MD Aijaz Haroon arrested over misuse of authority

The FIA on Saturday arrested Aijaz Haroon – a former PIA managing director – and Hanif Pathan – an ex-director human resources – over the allegation of misusing their authority.

According to 24NewsHD TV channel, the FIA Corporate Crime Circle made the arrests in Karachi as the two are accused of appointing Salim Sayani as a deputy managing director in violation of rules.

It is alleged that the ad for recruitment contained violations of the PIA rules and regulations while they also fixed $20,000 a month as salary with 7 percent annual increment for Siayani.

Other accusations include approving commission to get contracts for PIA engineering, sanctioning three-month stay at any five-star hotel and paying the rent for Sayani’s family in Dubai. He was also paid an amount of $50,000 for shifting to Pakistan or Dubai from the United States.

Moreover, $1 million insurance policy and an amount of $1 million as compensation in case of kidnaping, physical harm or death during the former deputy managing director’s association with the PIA were also part of the financial benefits.

On the other hand, Haroon and Pathan approved payment of three-month salary in case the contract was terminated.

In this connection, FIA Deputy Director Abdul Rauf Sheikh said the role of other PIA officials was also under investigation.

Haroon assumed the charge of PIA managing director in May 2008 and served in this capacity till his resignation in February 2011 after the airline’s staff went on strike. 

But it isn’t the first case against Haroon, who started his career as a pilot. Previously, he was arrested by NAB in November 2019 in a fake account case, accusing him of allotting plots illegally and transferring payments through a fake bank account.