Punjab govt has no intention to buy PIA: Azma Bokhari

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Monday that the Punjab government had no plans to buy the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

She said the matter of launching a separate airline for Punjab was discussed but buying the national flag carrier wasn’t on the table.

“Pakistan needs a good airline. The overseas Pakistanis had complained to Mian Nawaz Sharif about the problems faced by them by travelling through the PIA. The provinces have the right to start their own airlines,” Azma Bokhari said.

Speaking about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s interest in purchasing the PIA, the Information Minister wondered that it was strange that “a debt-stressed provincial government” was talking about purchasing the PIA.

“The KP government should clear other debts before showing interest in buying the PIA”, she added.

Karachi traders also jump on PIA bandwagon

The Information Minister lauded Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for starting several development projects despite keeping the expenditure of the province under control.

Earlier it was reported that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has also expressed interest in either purchasing the national carrier or establishing a new provincial airline, tentatively named “Air Punjab.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif confirmed that his daughter and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had sought his advice on whether the provincial government should pursue the acquisition of PIA or launch a new airline