Pakistan airline chairman resigns

Like its planes, the airline has had a troubled recent history

The chairman of the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resigned after a period of crisis for the organisation.

Mr Tariq Kirmani handed in his resignation to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday.

Earlier in March, much of PIA's fleet was banned from landing in the European Union because of safety concerns.

This came after the firm suffered heavy financial losses and had to ground part of its domestic fleet.

Mr Kirmani had earlier served as the head of the Pakistan State Oil company and is reported to be close to Mr Aziz.

He has been asked to continue in his post until a replacement is named.

In recent years, many of Pakistan's state owned enterprises have run into organisational problems resulting in loss of efficiency and profitability.

Most have since been privatised.