SC directs PIA to review weight policy about cabin crew
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—A three-member bench of the Supreme Court Tuesday directed Pakistan International Airlines Authorities to review weight policy about cabin crew and give chance to crew members for their grooming process.
The bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi, Justice Muhammad Qaim Jan Khan and Justice Muhammad Farrukh Mehmood, heard the case and adjourned the matter for first week of May.
Grooming Officer PIA also appeared before the court and assured the bench for the compliance of the order of the court in letter and spirit.
She also apprised the court that all the cabin crew had been given flights according to their category and without discrimination. The management of the PIA apprised the Supreme Court that physically unfit, obese or unpresentable individuals are doing a great disservice not only to themselves but also contribute to put a dent in the image of their organization.
According to concise statement submitted by the counsel of PIA earlier, Shahid Anwar Bajwa in the Supreme Court, all the cabin crew were being treated indiscriminately and there was no discriminatory treatment at any level.
About fitness of the cabin crew of the organization, he apprised the court that cabin crew were considered as privileged employees as compared to the rest of the employees of the organization.
Sheikh Riaz-ul-Haq advocate representing staffers of the crew Naheed Azhar and Syed Asad Ali appeared before the court and apprised the bench about the compliance of the orders of the apex court.
The case was heard by the Supreme Court as suo-motu notice taken by the Chief Justice (Retd) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on the written application submitted by a number of cabin crew regarding discriminatory treatment by the PIA management.
In the statement, the management also apprised the court about health facilities being provided by the PIA to all cabin crew including training programme on PIA expense at all bases. The training programme covers communication skills training, weight management, grooming improvement sessions besides facility of health clubs, the statement mentioned.
The management has already provided a list of health clubs nominated by the PIA at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar.