Bank of Punjab President and Chief Executive Officer Zafar Masud, one of the only two survivors of the tragic Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash from May 22, 2020, has taken to the air once again.
Overcoming his fear of flying just months after surviving an air crash, Masud bravely chose PIA as his carrier of choice on Saturday when he boarded flight PK-304 from Karachi to Lahore.
At Jinnah International Airport, he was welcomed by PIA Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Khalilullah Sheikh and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) & Head of Engineering Amir Ali. He was assured of all safety measures being taken for his flight by ground and air staff alike.
Upon landing in Lahore, PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik personally received the guest at the arrival gate.
Masud said that despite the trauma he previously faced, he had a pleasant flight with PIA, adding that it was one of the smoothest landings he had ever experienced.
Masud is also part of PIA’s reforms process and restructuring drive and has said that he stands firmly in support of the national airline, an airline with which he said he felt at home, both now and before the incident.
The PIA CEO has reportedly thanked Masud and said that PIA feels indebted to him.
He said PIA will strive to meet the expectations of all civilians and is working tirelessly to bring prestige back to the airline.
PIA remains under fire after the air crash that killed 97 passengers and light was shed on the issue of fake licences of nearly one-third of Pakistan’s pilots. Out of the 262 pilots found with fake licenses across Pakistan, 101 of them were affiliated with PIA.
The airline has since grounded and suspended all pilots suspected of having a dubious license and increased safety and security measures on all flights.
