Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed an investigation into a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) advertisement announcing the resumption of flights to Paris. The directive was disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a Senate session.
Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) criticized the advertisement for its misleading content, which depicted a PIA aircraft near the Eiffel Tower alongside the tagline “We’re Coming.” She raised concerns about the airline’s operational capacity, noting that only 19 out of 34 planes are currently functional.
Responding to these concerns, Senator Dar clarified that 22 PIA aircraft are operational, while 11 are undergoing maintenance. He assured the Senate that the Prime Minister had ordered a thorough inquiry into the advertisement and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to privatizing PIA. Dar suggested Pakistan’s corporate sector as a potential buyer, emphasizing that the privatization process is actively progressing.
Additionally, Dar addressed the suspension of PIA flights to the UK, revealing that a British delegation is expected by the end of January. He expressed optimism about resuming flights by March or April, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
Dar further highlighted the economic impact of past mismanagement, stating that a previous minister’s remarks resulted in an annual loss of 87 billion Rupees for PIA. He noted that the cabinet has ordered an inquiry into this matter, focusing on its repercussions for the airline and its pilots.
