Govt won’t bow to illegal strikes in PIA: PM

Some political parties creating hurdles in improving airline’s working; negative politics caused huge losses to Pakistan

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday made it clear that the government will not bow to illegal and illogical strikes in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Addressing the joint session of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council with regard to the Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister said the government wanted to strengthen the institutions and public sector organisations but certain elements were creating hurdles and hampering the process.

The government has decided to improve the management and functioning of PIA, in order to ensure its progress but some political parties are creating hurdles in this regard.The prime minister said that there should be no compromise on principles and preference should not be given to personal interests over national interests. He said negative statements were given against the prime minister in the sit-ins last year. “When the protesters reached outside the PM House, they announced that they would lynch and drag the prime minister by putting a rope in his neck but we tolerated all this with an open heart just for the sake of democracy.”

“This country will be integrated and remain intact with democracy. East Pakistan got separated from us as democracy was disfigured.”He said that negative politics did give a lot of losses to Pakistan and added that positive politics are being promoted to resolve all issues with mutual understanding and in a democratic manner.

The prime minister urged the entire leadership to come forward and work in unison for the progress and prosperity of the country.He said Pakistan has offered a lot of sacrifices in the war against terrorism and added that the overall security situation in the country had improved after the launching of the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan.The prime minister said the law and order in Karachi and Balochistan was better as compared to the past.