The PIA pension arrears case reached the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday, where the court ordered Pakistan International Airlines to pay the pension dues of a former employee spanning 24 years. The case centres on ex-PIA employee Mustafa Ansari, whose counsel told the court that he retired under a specific scheme in 2002 but never received his historical arrears.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard the petition. During the proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer said other retired employees had continued receiving pensions while his client’s dues remained unpaid.
He also told the court that the Sindh High Court had already ordered the airline to grant pension and privileges, yet the past arrears had not been cleared.
PIA Pension Arrears Case Puts Pressure On Airline
Justice Shahid Waheed asked whether a specific law governed pension payments to employees. In response, counsel for PIA said he needed further instructions from the airline on the formal payment process.
The court then warned that if PIA does not settle the pension payments before the next hearing, the airline’s managing director must appear in person to explain the delay.
That order increases pressure on the national carrier, especially as the case highlights a long-running failure to comply fully with earlier court directions.
Court Order Comes Amid Wider PIA Developments
The pension case surfaced alongside other major developments involving PIA. Earlier, the airline resumed flight operations to London after a six-year suspension, marking an important step for its international network.
The first flight, PK-785, departed from Islamabad with 325 passengers on board. Officials, including the Secretary of Defence and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, attended the departure ceremony at Islamabad Airport.
Read: PIA Fleet Expansion Plan Targets 60 Aaircraft Amid Revival
PIA has also said it plans to expand UK operations further, with flights from Lahore to London set to begin from March 30. In total, the airline plans to operate 4 weekly flights to London, including 3 from Islamabad and 1 from Lahore.
