PPP opposes PIA privatisation

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and People’s Unity of PIA employees opposed the proposed privatisation of the Pakistan International Airlines and called for accountability and transparency in any decision-making process regarding the future of the airline.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Peoples Labour Bureau Pakistan, led by Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed, President of Peoples Unity PIA Employees, Hidayatullah, and other leaders, opposed the proposed privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines, raising critical concerns and urged the government to reconsider its approach.

Both the leaders highlighted the importance of keeping PIA under public ownership and management, noting that PIA was previously profitable and could be turned around with the right management and strategic reforms. Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed said that it is premature to sell PIA, highlighting that the previous caretaker government hastily tried to sell PIA without consulting all stakeholders.

He said that the motive behind privatisation was to hand over PIA to their favorites and declared that they would strongly resist the move.

President of Peoples Unity PIA Employees, Hidayatullah, said the attempt to privatise the national flag carrier is completely wrong and lacks legal authority. “PIA is not someone’s personal property, but a national asset. Privatisation without proper legal backing and national consensus is unacceptable,” he asserted.