PM Kakar for expediting privatisation of PIA

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to tackle Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)’s severe financial crisis, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar has issued directives to expedite the process of privatisation of the national flag carrier.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Kakar, who chaired a meeting on Thursday, received a briefing regarding the national airline’s financial troubles.

He stressed the necessity of swiftly expediting the privatisation of the PIA so that passengers received high-quality service.

Kakar emphasized that PIA’s services must be enhanced to compete effectively with international airlines. “We need to upgrade the standard of Pakistan’s national airline to make it competitive in the global aviation market,” he said.

Furthermore, PM Kakar urged all relevant stakeholders to present actionable solutions promptly to address the challenges faced by PIA.

He specifically directed Caretaker Aviation Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad to oversee and expedite the process of privatisation of the national flag carrier.

Private: PIA’s flights disrupted due to financial constraints

The financial difficulties and operational setbacks have significantly hampered PIA’s ability to function effectively.

The failure to receive the anticipated 23 billion rupees from the interest support programme has further compounded the airline’s troubles. As a result, several flights have been grounded due to technical issues.

An official of PIA revealed that the airline was currently going through one of its most challenging periods.

“The situation is becoming progressively worse with each passing day,” he stated.

In August, former federal aviation minister Saad Rafique had pointed out that despite strenuous efforts over the past 14 months, PIA had not shown significant improvement in its operations.

Experts warn that without swift and effective measures, PIA may face difficulties in maintaining its operations, and it could lose market share to airlines from Gulf countries and other international carriers.