KARACHI, June 29: Despite the directives issued more than a week ago by the parliamentary committee on defence to Pakistan International Airlines management to sack its managing director Salim Sayani, who is costing the airline more than Rs5 million a month, the influential official is continuing to hold the position.

Responding to Dawn’s queries, PIA spokesman Sultan Hassan confirmed that Mr Sayani — who has American nationality and is resident of G 349 Skylark Circle, NRH Texas, USA, according to his contract with the PIA — is still working for the airline.

Mr Sayani has yet to be shown the door perhaps because of his “tailor-made contract” under which the airline has to pay him the salary for two years in case his contract is terminated, according to sources.

The sources said that despite drawing a huge salary, Mr Sayani failed miserably in achieving the goals for which he was appointed by former PIA chief Aijaz Haroon.

According to the sources, Mr Sayani’s services were hired in 2009 to improve and upgrade the airline’s engineering department so that it could provide services to other airlines, generating income for the organisation in the process.

However, instead of bringing about the desired improvements, he has seen the European Union Aviation Authorities actually downgrade his department.

According to the sources, Mr Sayani’s contract even binds the airline to pay ransom of up to $1 million (about Rs95 million at the current rate of exchange) if he is kidnapped.

The contract is valid for two years and extendable by up to two additional terms, the sources say.