The Federal Minister for Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan has informed the National Assembly that there is no plan to privatize any of the assets of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
According to media reports, during the question hour in National Assembly on Friday, Ghulam Sarwar Khan has told the house that the present government is very keen to make the national flag carrier self-reliant and profitable entity.
The Aviation Minister has said that efforts are underway to improve the financial health of the airline by reducing its losses through various means. He said loss making routes have been closed and flights on profitable routes have been added which has resulted in reduction of losses.
While answering a question, Ghulam Sarwar has said that eighty two pilots were dismissed for acquiring the licenses through unfair means. He said a transparent mechanism has now been evolved to ensure the issuance of licenses in a transparent manner.
The Aviation Minister further stated that an agreement to this effect has also been signed with the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. He said the International Civil Aviation Authority will carry out an audit of our Civil Aviation Authority in July this year.
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Gulam Sarwar was was confident this will lead to removal of travel restrictions on the PIA in the European countries and that the airline will regain its past glory.
While talking about Quetta and Dera Ismail Khan Airports, he said that both the Airports will be upgraded and that eight new planes will be inducted in the fleet of PIA to further improve its performance.
On the occasion, the Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan has said that the Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken the initiative of ‘Live Call Program’ to directly connect with the people and listen to their problems. He said this step of the Prime Minister should be appreciated.
Ali Muhammad Khan has said that the Prime Minister is expected to again interact with the people via telephone next week.
