Safe privatisation

PIA is in a shambles and confronts a severe financial crisis. In the wake of huge financial losses, privatisation seems to be the best option to bring the airline out of its current critical financial predicament. The question is: what has led the organisation to this shockingly awkward state of affairs? The main reasons for the crisis are overstaffing, and hefty salaries and perks and privileges to its employees at the top level.

Under the present extremely dismal scenario, privatisation is the only viable option to salvage the national flag carrier, give it a turnaround and steer it back on the path to progress in larger national interests. However, in doing so the government should ensure that the interests of the employees are fully safeguarded and no compromise whatsoever is made in making the entire privatisation process absolutely transparent and infallible.

M Fazal Elahi

Islamabad