The federal government has termed plea against Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Air Marshal Arshad Malik based on ‘dishonesty’.

On January 21, the Supreme Court (SC) had upheld Sindh High Court’s verdict barring Air Marshal Arshad Malik from performing his duties as the PIA’s chief executive officer.

The petition was heard by three-member bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

The court rejecting the plea of PIA’s counsel against the verdict of SHC, sought case details from the province’s top court.

The CJP in his remarks to the PIA’ counsel said, “It would be better to ask Arshad Malik to leave PIA.”

CJP added that it is not a private property of anyone.

The court observed that one who was appointed on deputation in the national flag-carrier, had enrolled 10 more people in the organisation.

The federal government in its reply submitted in the SC stated that the revenue of the national flag-carrier increased by 44 per cent during the tenure of Arshad Malik.

It also added that the line losses of the PIA were also curtailed upto 75 per cent.

Terming Arshad Malik as an expert in Finance, HR and other fields, the federal government in its response submitted in SC said Malik had taken stern action against the wrong doings in the PIA, including removal of fake degree holder employees.

“The appointment of Arshad was made under the set parameters after the approval of the federal cabinet”, the reply states.

It adds that problems of the Pakistan International Airlines saw sharp decrease during his [Arshad Malik] tenure.

The reply of the PTI-led federal government further states that Air Marshal Arshad Malik played vital role in making JF-17 Thunder Jets and its marketing.