PIA's A310 to go to Leipzig

[Abbas Ali]

Senate body probing PIA plane's sale to German firm

ISLAMABAD: The Upper House of parliament on Wednesday was informed that serious violations were committed while selling an Airbus A-310 aircraft to a German firm, and Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani directed a Special Committee of Parliament on PIA to probe into the matter.

Rabbani also directed the committee to submit the report within 30 days over the sale of PIA airbus. The directives were issued in response to a call attention notice moved by senators Saleem Mandviwala, Shahi Syed, Mir Muhammad Yousaf Badini and Muhammad Yousaf, who stated that the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules were violated in the sale of this aircraft.

The members had claimed that a serious violation of the rules was committed in the sale of this aircraft and the situation was unclear as to whom and at what price the aircraft was sold.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Shaikh informed the House that, "There are serious allegations about this deal and an inquiry committee was constituted to submit its report within 30 days. This report was expected within the next seven days and would be presented to the House".

Earlier, he had told the House that it was an old aircraft that was not suitable to fly anymore. Therefore, tenders were floated to sell this aircraft, but nobody filed any bid for buying it. However, later on the issue of its sale to a German firm surfaced, and he added that after discovering that there was some potential illegality in this deal, an inquiry was ordered.

The Minister stated that four 92-model airplanes were purchased in 1993 but after about 25 years of operation, these airplanes were no longer in a position to be operated.

Speaking on the issue, Senator Mushahidullah Khan also informed the House that serious violations were committed in the aircraft's deal. He believed that the matter should be given to the sub-committee of the Special Parliamentary Committee on PIA, which was headed by Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah, with Senators Farhatullah Babar and Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum. The Chair referred the matter to the sub-committee and sought a report by the next session

Tenders were floated in the newspapers within the country but no bid was received, however, a German firm requested the plane but for what purpose, it was not yet clear.

Source: Daily Times

PIA aircraft

To the surprise of all present, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab told the house that the government had no information about the reported sale of a PIA Airbus A-310 to a German firm, in violation of the rules.

Responding to a calling attention notice moved by the opposition members, the parliamentary affairs minister said the government had already constituted an inquiry committee on the matter, which was expected to complete its report in a week.

Raising the matter, PPP’s Saleem Mandviwala alleged that the aircraft had been given to a German firm without waiting for the bids, which the airline had already sought through a newspaper advertisement. He said that PIA pilots who had taken the aircraft to Germany were ready to disclose all the details.

The minister said that no one had offered any bid in response to the advertisement and it was sent to a German firm which wanted to place the 28-year-old aircraft in a museum.

Source: DAWN

Speaking on a call attention notice, some position lawmakers condemned the management of state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for selling out a PIA Airbus to a German firm what they said Public Procurement Regulator Authority (PPRA) rules were violated in the deal.

PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwala alleged that the management of cash-starved national flag carrier sold out a functional plane to a German national at a throwaway price of Rs7 million. He said that no tender was floated for this purpose, a pre-requisite under PPRA rules.

"I came to know about this from the pilots of PIA who are ready to testify before the court or anywhere else," he said.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan, the parliamentary leader of PML-N in the house, also endorsed Mandviwala and said that he a lot to say about the issue, and called for a thorough probe into the matter to bring to book the culprits.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sheikh Aftab Ahmed tried to give a justification of the deal and said that the plane was sold out after no party showed interest in the tendering process. He said that Germany wanted to keep the plane in a museum. However, the minister disclosed that an inquiry had been ordered into the matter.

Upon this, Chairman Senate made a taunt and questioned whether the plane had ever remained in use of Hitler that Germany was keen to display it in the museum. Later, the chair referred the issue to the Special Parliamentary Committee on PIA to probe the matter and asked report back to the house by next session.

Source: The Nation

[Abbas Ali]

Senators question sale of PIA aircraft to German museum

JAMAL SHAHID

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentarian committee on Wednesday expressed apprehensions about giving a flight-worthy Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft to a German museum, and asked the PIA to submit a thorough report on the matter.

Senators who met to discuss the performance of the national flag carrier described the deal to sell an Airbus A310-300 to the museum as suspect.

The meeting began on a sour note, when the Senate committee noted the absence of senior PIA officials at the meeting. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Performance of PIA, PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan, said: “We need answers on this irregular deal. We will move a privilege motion if the top PIA officials are absent at the next meeting.”

The committee members observed that the aircraft has already landed with a museum in Leipzig, Germany, and senators said permission was not sought to sell the flight-worthy airplane, no agreements were signed and the PIA did not receive any advance payment for the sale of the A310.

“Everything is wrong with this arrangement, especially when such a deal has not been sanctioned,” Mr Khan added. He said the PIA officials present at the meeting had failed to give satisfactory answers on the deal.

The museum in question expressed interest in acquiring the A310 last year, to induct it among its collection of international airlines’ aircrafts. The same airplane was also flown to Malta, where it was hired for a shot in a movie.

“A movie should be made on this deal, and how an aircraft disappeared from a nuclear powered state and ended up in a museum,” quipped Senator retired Col Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The committee members also asked why a fully functional aircraft was given to the museum when it had only wanted to acquire the structure.

“Why were the parts, which could fetch more funds, not sold in the open market,” Mr Mashhadi asked while urging the PIA’s senior management to explain their actions.

Officials from the PIA responded that the aircraft was sold to the museum on the directions of the senior management for a little over $5 million.

Describing such deals as “unheard of”, Mr Khan directed the PIA officials present for a report on the details of the arrangements.

Source: DAWN

[Abbas Ali]

The Senate Special Committee on Performance of Pakistan International Airlines discussed in detail the calling-attention notice of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on the issue of selling PIA Airbus A310 to a German company in “violation” of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules.

The committee was told that it has not been sold yet, however, Malta has borrowed it against 210,000 euros for a film, and PIA staff was taken there as well. Moreover, the committee was told that it is still parked in Germany.

However, the PIA’s stance failed to satisfy the members of the committee. They inquired about the authority that had allowed the plane for a film, while would waste five days of the PIA staff.

Source: http://aaj.tv/2017/03/senate-body-for-pia-bod-revamp/

Abbas

[raihans]

The Senate Special Committee on Performance of Pakistan International Airlines discussed in detail the calling-attention notice of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on the issue of selling PIA Airbus A310 to a German company in “violation” of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules.

The committee was told that it has not been sold yet, however, Malta has borrowed it against 210,000 euros for a film, and PIA staff was taken there as well. Moreover, the committee was told that it is still parked in Germany.

However, the PIA’s stance failed to satisfy the members of the committee. They inquired about the authority that had allowed the plane for a film, while would waste five days of the PIA staff.

Source: http://aaj.tv/2017/03/senate-body-for-pia-bod-revamp/

Abbas

let Senate push PIA to bring this A310 back to Pakistan, if it is not yet sold

[Amaad Lone]

The Senate Special Committee on Performance of Pakistan International Airlines discussed in detail the calling-attention notice of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on the issue of selling PIA Airbus A310 to a German company in “violation” of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules.

i cannot believe the bloody senate has nothing to think about except a lousy scam involving a 24 year old a310

the entire airline is a scam losing 30 billion rupees a year of tax payers money, money that can be used for hospitals and schools.

shut down pia and save another 300 billion rupees over the next bloody ten years.

[Abdullah]

let Senate push PIA to bring this A310 back to Pakistan, if it is not yet sold

Bring it back and scrap at Karachi airport along with other two A310s.

I expect it...

[Abbas Ali]

Retired PIA Airbus A310-300 (AP-BEQ) photographed at Leipzig Halle Airport, Germany, on March 6, 2017.


PIA International A310-300 AP-BEQ @ LEJ by Martin Tietz, on Flickr


PIA International A310-300 AP-BEQ @ LEJ by Martin Tietz, on Flickr

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Photographed on February 25, 2017.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8532409

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Senators Question sale of PIA plane to German museum

ISLAMABAD: The issue of mysterious flight of PIA plane to Germany and its selling there echoed in the Senate Thursday, as lawmakers wondered, was an inquiry held and any one held responsible for this matter. MQM's Tahir Hussain Mashhadi and Abdul Rehman Malik of PPP on a point of public importance, spoke on the matter and wondered how the plane reached German museum against which no payment was made even now.

"Neither the plane was sold nor any payment was made. Had the board of directors taken a decision in this connection," asked Mashhadi.

Malik wondered would anyone be punished for this criminal negligence with regard to the PIA plane. He called for referring the matter to the relevant authority and registration of a case so that none in future dared to commit such crime.

Source: The News (March 17, 2017, edition)

[Abbas Ali]

Inclusion of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's name in Exit Control List (ECL) in the case of PIA Airbus A310-300 (AP-BEQ) sent to Leipzig Halle Airport, Germany, sought by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Inam Memon during a press conference today.

PIA comes under Aviation Division and Prime Minister is the Minister In-charge of Aviation Division.

Abbas

[faisal-777]

Inclusion of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's name in Exit Control List (ECL) in the case of PIA Airbus A310-300 (AP-BEQ) sent to Leipzig Halle Airport, Germany, sought by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Inam Memon during a press conference today.

PIA comes under Aviation Division and Prime Minister is the Minister In-charge of Aviation Division.

Abbas

Was it Sharjeel Memon or someone else saying that? Coz he himself got arrested right away from the Islamabad airport ramp after reaching last night?

[Abbas Ali]

^ Mr. Memon was released after brief detention and was able to hold press conference today aired live by news channels.

Abbas

[Adnan Anwar]

let Senate push PIA to bring this A310 back to Pakistan, if it is not yet sold

Bring it back and scrap at Karachi airport along with other two A310s.

I expect it...

Luck they got 5 million for it, I won't pay 5 cents for it. The whole plane is held by duct tapes and twisty tags. YOu can see it on Engine nacalles.

[Abbas Ali]

The whole plane is held by duct tapes and twisty tags. YOu can see it on Engine nacalles.

Apparently engine intakes are covered/taped with plastic for protection against elements of nature. The engines were offered for sale at Leipzig Halle Airport, Germany, by PIA in sale notice for this particular A310 last year.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Another aircraft scandal rocks PIA

FIA probing selling of an A-310 plane against ‘peanuts’ | Airline denies allegations

March 26, 2017

LAHORE - The FIA has expanded the scope of its inquiry against PIA officials after it emerged that the airline management sold an A-310 aircraft to a German company on throwaway price a few months ago.

Sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) claimed that the airplane had been sold and handed over to the German company even before opening of the tender.

It’s the third major corruption scandal that has surfaced in the national airline in recent months as the FIA is already conducting an inquiry for lease of A-330 and A-320 planes at inflated rates.

About the new scandal, FIA sources revealed that in October 2016 offers were sought from interested parties by December 12, 2016 for the sale A-310 plane. But the aircraft was sold even before the last date given in advertisement.

But PIA spokesman claimed the plane was in Germany to participate in an exhibition and a museum in Leipzig has expressed its desire of buying it, but it has yet not been sold and remains a PIA's property.

FIA sources said that the said aircraft was hired by a company of Malta for 10 days against payment of 210,000 Euros but the same aircraft was later sold to the German company against 45,500 Euros.

The investigation agency claims that plane was airworthy and as per annual assessment of the airline its book value was $3.51 million.

According to Senator Mandviwalla, the airplane was flight worthy and an authentic certificate was issued before it went to Malta for a movie shoot. Later on, the airplane was sent to a German museum. He said a national asset has been sold illegally as “all this was done without taking formal approval of the PIA board of directors”.

The senator demanded a thorough investigation, saying that an FIR should be registered against the PIA acting CEO who was involved in the deal.

FIA sources claimed that PIA CEO and Director Procurement were responsible for the fishy deal.

Sources claimed that airline management was dithering over providing the relevant record to investigation team.

When contacted, spokesman for PIA gave the following version:

A-310 is an old, fuel guzzling aircraft having obsolete technology and therefore only a few airlines are still operating this type of planes, that too mostly for cargo operations.

As per Pakistan's National Aviation Policy of 2015 any aircraft older than 20 years cannot fly for a Pakistani airline. PIA retired its fleet of ageing Airbus A310s on December 31, 2016. When these aircraft were grounded their average age was 24 years. This was made possible because the new aviation policy gave two years time [until March 2017] to existing operators to adjust their fleet according to new regulations.

For disposing off the four A-310 aircraft PIA initiated a tendering process in August 2016 when all these aircraft were still airworthy and being used in PIA operations.

In order to find buyers for these aircraft, PIA advertised twice - in August and November last year - but no buyer showed interest.

Currently one of the aircraft is participating in an exhibition in Germany. A museum in Leipzig has expressed its desire of buying this aircraft and keeping it in their museum in PIA's livery as a symbol of PIA's presence in Europe. But PIA has yet to take a final decision on it. So the plane is still very much PIA's property.

After the August advertisement internal approval was obtained for selling one of the four aircraft to the above mentioned museum, but soon afterwards it was decided to advertise again to find suitable buyers for all the 4 aircraft and the sale of this specific aircraft did not materialise.

The remaining three grounded A-310 aircraft are still at Karachi airport as no buyer has expressed interested in buying them.

Source: The Nation