09 March 2004
Governments are supposed to increase facilities to make the public at ease and not to withdraw already existing ones without any due logic. Each government tells us that during the then previous government so and so was into loss which has now become profit earning. For example common Pakistani empties times has learnt Pakistan Steels turning “first time” into a profit earning unit. Likewise for sometime occassionally we hear PIA turning into profitability but no body at the same time tells us if this profit earned figures include the huge clossal injected from the national exchequer of this debit ridden poor nationna to make its financial health sound.
While PIA keeps on increasing its fares only and only to increase salaries and perks of its seniors, it is withdrawing public facilities. For example PIA bag today is a dream of our childhood. Since establishment of Karachi Gulshan-e-Iqbal Civic Centre there was a PIA Sales Office dealing both domestic and international reservations. I myself had always been getting reservations, re-confirmations for my international travel from this centre. This was most conveient central place for residents of Gulshan, Nazimabad, Federal B Area, PECHS, Landhi etc as on this sector Karachi’s best cheap and easy transport system is available.
About 3 years back this Reservation Office was closed. I visited PIA Shaheed-e-Millat Road who refused to re-confirm my international seat on the plea this office was dealing domestic flights only. When I contacted PIA Head Office that PIA Offices at Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Rashid Minhas Road, Federal B Area all were equipped with network of computers then why provisional reservations and confirmatins should not be dealt by them while sales of international ticket could remain with its Saddar Office. In reply appreciating my view, PIA confirmed me in writing that arrangements were being made that Shaheed-e-Millat Road and other offices deals with international reservations etc. But this year it was the same. Three times Chairman PIA was addressed through emails which all came back undelivered. However when chaiman PIA was addressed through PIA webmaster each time an acknowledgement came that matter had been forwarded to concerned quarters without any further progress. Perhaps PIA has adopted a policy to ignore the matter as time will automatically kill it.