PM Shehbaz orders probe into PIA Paris ad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an investigation into a controversial Pakistan International Airlines PIA Paris ad promoting the resumption of flights to Paris.

The advertisement, which featured a PIA aircraft near the Eiffel Tower with the tagline “We’re Coming,” drew criticism from PPP Senator Sherry Rehman during a Senate session.

She described the ad as poorly thought out, raising significant security concerns and misrepresenting PIA’s intentions, which led to widespread public backlash.

“Who authorized this advertisement, and how did it bypass proper oversight?” Rehman questioned, highlighting operational issues within the airline, including the fact that only 19 of its 34 planes are functional.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informed the Senate that the Prime Minister had ordered an independent review of the ad’s approval process.

Dar also addressed PIA’s operational state, confirming that 22 planes, including Boeings, Airbuses, and ATRs, are currently in service, while others are undergoing repairs.

He reassured that the government’s plan to privatize PIA remains on track, with promises of transparency throughout the process.

Additionally, Dar revealed efforts to resume flights to the United Kingdom by March or April, with UK officials scheduled to visit Pakistan later this month for a physical inspection.

Recalling past controversies, Dar referenced comments by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who alleged that PIA pilots held fake licenses.

This statement, he said, caused bans on PIA flights in Europe, the UK, and the US, resulting in an annual loss of Rs87 billion and tarnishing Pakistan’s aviation reputation.

The cabinet has recommended an inquiry into the minister’s remarks due to their damaging impact.

Senator Rehman further urged the government to clarify PIA’s privatization strategy and address ongoing uncertainties about the airline’s future.

Dar responded by calling on Pakistan’s corporate sector to play a vital role in revitalizing the national carrier.