The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday allowed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to make 205 professional recruitments and adjourned the matter of recruitment against 45 more seats in the national airline, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The PIA had sought permission from the SC for 250 recruitments of pilots, cabin crew, IT specialists, and financial and management experts.

The court allowed the recruitment of pilots, cabin crew and IT specialists in the organisation and ordered it to keep the recruitment process transparent.

“The PIA is not able to pay its dues. For what reason does it need to make more recruitments?” Justice Ayesha Malik questioned.

“The quality of the PIA services is not up to mark. With the new recruitments, the organisation will have to carry the burden of more than Rs90 million per month,” Justice Ijazul Ahsan said.

“A plan has been made to help the PIA stand on its feet. The national airlines’ profit during the last six months is Rs3 billion. Flights are being operated on profitable routes. More flight operations are to be operated on national and international routes,” the PIA chief executive officer (CEO) told the court.

“The flight staff of other airlines is small in size. On what basis will these recruitments be made? Will these recruitments be made on a permanent or contract basis?” Justice Ijazul Ahsan questioned.

“Recruitments will be made on a one-year renewable contract basis,” the PIA CEO told the court.

A two-member SC bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan conducted the hearing.

Reporter Amanat Gishkori