ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed the Chief Executive Officer of PIA , Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik to expedite restructuring plan of the the national flag carrier and present him a framework in a week’s time.

Talking to the CEO of Pakistan International Airlines, who called on him here in Islamabad, the prime minister asked him to undertake the restructuring in consultation with his Advisor on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain.

Also Read: United States bans PIA flights over license scandal

Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik briefed the prime minister regarding ongoing negotiations with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to ensure PIA flight operations for Europe. The CEO also briefed the prime minister regarding restructuring of the PIA so as to make it a profitable and leading airline.

Prime Minister Imran emphasized that the government was pursuing an across-the-board reforms agenda to make institutions efficient and service oriented.

After the European Union and United Kingdom, the United States of America has also banned the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flights operation to its country, after US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expressed reservations over the airlines’ pilot licenses.

Britain-based news agency, Reuters has confirmed the news quoting the US Department of Transportation. “The information is contained in a revocation of special authorisation dated July 1,” it said.

The national flag carrier grounded more than 140 of its pilots after Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar revealed that they were holding dubious licenses.