VISITING Malta, an island state in the Mediterranean, a couple of decades ago, I came across a senior Maltese officer from their national flag carrier who told me that Air Malta pilots and technical staff were all trained by PIA. He showered bundles of praise on PIA training staff, adding that the Maltese airline was still maintaining high standards set by their training godfathers. Twenty years on, it could be embarrassing seeing the gentleman again who could be harbouring opposite views. Will merit ever have its way in our national airlines? DR SHAHID QAYYUM Lahore