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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court(SC) on Monday declared the appointment of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan as null and void.
A three-member bench of the SC, under Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar’s stewardship. They gave the verdict while hearing two separate PIA-related cases: one on Dr Cyan’s appointment and another on the national carrier’s audit
“Cyan does not meet the requirements for the appointment as CEO and thus his appointment is illegal,” the bench ruled.
The PIA officers’ association had challenged Cyan’s appointment in the apex court. While the Auditor General of Pakistan had also recommended Cyan’s immediate sacking after terming his appointment an “irregular favour”.
As the hearing went underway, Justice Nisar said, “The matter was left to the cabinet but they have now lost the chance.”
Further, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked. “As per the initial report, PIA CEO Cyan’s appointment was not according to law and we are looking into it.”
“According to initial reports, CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan’s appointment was not in accordance with the law.” Justice Ijazul Ahsan told Cyan’s attorney, Naeem Bukhari.
“Sardar Mehtab Abbasi was a party to the appointment,” Justice Ahsan observed. To which the chief justice added: “Cyan has been the personal secretary of Abbasi as well.”
“Was Musharraf Rasool interviewed by the board?” Justice Ahsan questioned.
“When the foundation is wrong, the entire building collapses.”
Also, Cyan’s attorney told the SC bench that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) is already dealing the case. “The IHC had sent the matter to the cabinet,” Bukhari recalled.
“We set aside the IHC’s decision,” the chief justice countered.
“Such organisations should have capable and competent persons. Now, good people should come and set things right.”
Regarding Abbasi, the former adviser to the PM on aviation affairs involved in Cyan’s appointment. Justice Nishar said that he “respects Sardar Mehtab Abbasi as a politician” but wondered why they gave him “the rein to run such a big organisation”.
