Audi report reveals how sinking PIA doled out Rs9.43 billion free tickets

The national treasury suffered a loss of Rs9.43 billion in six years due to distribution of free and discounted air tickets by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.

More than 258,000 free tickets were given to people in 6 years, according to a PIA audit report. Over 116,000 tickets were given at a 95 percent discount in 6 years, the audit report adds.

Free and discounted tickets were given between 2011 and 2016, the audit report says. As many as 58,861 free tickets were given in 2011 and 51,692 in 2012. Moreover, 56,815 tickets were doled out in 2013, 43,077 in 2014, 21,816 in 2015 and 26,729 in 2016.

As much as 95% discount on more than 116,000 tickets was given to people who were not even employees of the PIA, the audit report revealed.

This fare discount was given without the approval of the chairman or MD, said the auditor general of Pakistan.

For several reminders, no meeting was called on the issue until 2023, said the auditor general of Pakistan, who later recommended immediate abolition of the free ticket policy. Issuance of free tickets was then completely banned 2018 on the Supreme Court orders, says the PIA spokesperson.

The said tickets were issued to travel agents under the agent incentive scheme to give them more sales, the PIA spokesperson said.

The audit report is 9 years old and but the DAC meeting is called by the concerned ministry, the PIA spokesperson said.

Re-raising such an old audit paragraph is an attempt to exert pressure from a particular constituency, the PIA spokesperson said.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif