Pakistan hits at its airline in attempt to stem graft

Pakistan's military authorities arrested a number of union officials and employees in the state-run airline in a drastic move aimed at cutting out corruption and inefficiency, the government announced.

Some senior managers were fired and late-night raids were made on offices of Pakistan International Airlines throughout the country. The crackdown on PIA was the latest step by President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq to make state-run corporations more efficient. Two months ago, martial regulations were introduced giving authorities power to summarily dismis employees of state-run corporations, and military authorities banned union activities within state-run radio and television networks.