The ex-caretaker PM Soomro and current chairman Senate went on “Umra” during his stint as caretaker PM and during his 4 day visit he cost PIA …2.8 million dollars…
In contrast Ahmedi Nejad went to KSA on an ordinary flight, so did Queen Elizabeth.
Re: Soomro's Royal Pilgrimage
No surprise.
It is now coming out the Mush regime was amongst the most corrupt in the history of Pakistan
If these sobs enjoy mujraz and dancing so much, why do they have to make a public show and do hajjs and umras on Govt money? This soomro also announced a grand luxurious benefits package for himself right before he left! I hope the new Govt overturns that and makes him pay hefty fines for that.
Soomro's 'royal pilgrimage' cost PIA $2.8m
By AMRAIZ KHAN May 10, 2008
LAHORE-A visit of former caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro to Saudi Arabia for Umrah cost PIA $2.8 million while a Boeing 777 was used for the purpose, an expert on aviation said that the aircraft could have earned $2.8 million had it been utilised for the commercial flights.
*Perhaps Mian Soomro went to Makkah to seek divine guidance, but it is worth mentioning here that the Prime Minister was not invited by the Saudi Arabian authorities. *
*Boeing 777, was used with VVIP configuration, sleeping beds, bathroom, conference area, sitting and dining room facilities. The said aircraft was in a PIA hangar atleast 48 hours before the 'Royal pilgrimage' to Makkah, undergoing checks and configuration changes.
Interim PM Soomro was not even officially invited for pilgrimage, unlike the Iranian President Ahmedinejad, who went on a normal aircraft, while being an official Royal guest. *
A source in CAA said that Britain's Queen Elizabeth who is also the Constitutional Monarch of Australia went to that country by a British Airways scheduled flight, with part of First Class cordoned off from passengers. Since the visit was at the request of Australia, their govt paid all the expenses incurred upon the visit, the sources added.
*The flight to Jeddah is less than 4 hours, where the aircraft remained parked for 4 days, while the PM was seeking repentance from the Almighty Allah. *
*However, PIA in the process lost $2.8 Million that it could have earned, had the aircraft been utilised for commercial flights. The airline is presently facing losses of over Rs 1.2 billion a month. *
The sources said that Soomro during his brief tenure as interim PM, was instrumental in getting extension for an executive in PIA Safety Division, beyond the age of superannuation, in addition to other appointments and promotions.
PIA is unable to provide capacity to operate the 14 weekly scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia over the ages as per bilateral agreement. Following grounding of Boeing 747's, on which PIA had invested $85 Million on procurement of 17 new engines in 2007, with $20 Million worth of spare parts in store, has to settle for A310 on Saudi Arabia routes.
The long range Boeing 777 has been taken off to other sectors.
The fourth flight to New York which was due to start in May with induction of a brand new Boeing 777 in March 2008, has already been scrapped due to shortage of aircrafts. With grounding of Boeing 737 the airline is in crisis and one hopes that the VVIP flights will not be planned frequently as done by the interim govt.
*When contacted PIA authorities said that in the past airbus aircraft was used for the VVIP movement but now the rulers use aircraft they want. *
They said that in the past Qatar Airways had donated an Airbus to PIA for the same purpose but that was also not in use.
Re: Soomro's Royal Pilgrimage
Why is the Kuwait given craft not being used?
Soomroo case has become public but the rape and abuse of Pakistan public by more "heavy" weights and land grab by so called institutional officers (aka military) has not shown even the tip of iceberg yet
Why is the Kuwait given craft not being used?
Soomroo case has become public but the rape and abuse of Pakistan public by more "heavy" weights and land grab by so called institutional officers (aka military) has not shown even the tip of iceberg yet
Military Inc.
Spock bhaijan. This is excellent news. God bless the ex-caretaker PM Soomro, for keeping the cost so low. :k:
Re: Soomro's Royal Pilgrimage
it is sad that people get so emasculated by the time they head these government behemoths that they cant do the right thing when the time comes. if this is infact costing PIA that much they should have rejected the bill publicly. issued a press release or two. sure you risk a transfer, but come on, have a spine. ultimately the breach of responsibility is not by someone soliciting something beyond his due, but the person who gives it.
One more reason why everything should be privatised. Not to make profits or to get a great deal or anything, just to reign in the unavoidable, inevitable corruption.
in an ideal world if Soomro wanted to use government resources to do his Hajj he would've had to drive to mecca in a suzuki khyber.
Re: Soomro's Royal Pilgrimage
laanat hai/ sare politicians par.
This Soomro guy is a really dark dhabba (stain) on the already tarnished image of our politicians. The more I read about him the more I get annoyed. One would be hard pressed to find more shameless people than him in this world. Not that I am completely amazed by his antics. He looks like a chakkarbaaz or daku in that chor *moustache of his. This daku should be removed immediately from his position as Senate Chairman. Such *fazool kharchiyan all paid for by the poor tax payer.
Re: Soomro's Royal Pilgrimage
The Punjab Govt is cracking down bigtime, on the muftkhoori of the previous regime, as far as what they can control. They just asked Musharrafs friend who wsa given free access to airports payup bigtime. I hope the Federal Govt after Musharraf's ouster goes on the same path.
that lifetime benefits package that this rangeela soomoro had passed for himself and his family - has it been rescinded yet or not? does anyone know?