Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
The federal government has formally begun the process of privatizing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as confirmed by Privatization Minister Aleem Khan to the Upper House of Parliament. Addressing the members, Khan assured that the bidding process for the state airline’s privatization would be broadcast live to ensure complete transparency.
“Everyone has contributed to the destruction of PIA. What option do we have other than privatizing it? PIA cannot be run like this. We just cannot afford to give 100 billion rupees every now and then to PIA,” Khan stated on the floor of the House on Wednesday.
PIA is grappling with a colossal loss of Rs 830 billion, as highlighted by the minister in response to a calling attention notice concerning the lack of transparency in the airline’s divestment and privatization stages. This includes financial processes, issuance of expressions of interest, bidding, contract awarding, and the segregation of core and non-core assets and liabilities of PIA.
The calling attention notice was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senators Quratulain Marri, Zamir Ghumro, Aslam Abro, Poonjo, and Kazim Shah. During the session, Khan revealed that only 18 PIA aircraft are currently operational, a stark contrast to the airline’s workforce.
“If more employees are hired on the basis of only 18 aircraft, then what would be the result? There are 10,000 PIA employees and only 18 aircraft,” he pointed out. However, he added that the number of PIA employees “will not look huge if the number of aircraft increased.”
The government plans to float 50 percent of PIA shares, aiming for a public-private partnership model. “It’s not the government’s job to do business; when the government starts doing business, the result is what has happened to PIA,” Khan emphasized.
Khan reassured the House that the privatization of PIA would be conducted transparently, with the entire bidding process aired live. He also stated that PIA employees would remain in service for up to three years after the privatization under the related policy.
Parliamentary Proceedings and Other Discussions
In other parliamentary business, the House passed a motion to elect the Senate Finance Committee based on a proposed list. Law Minister Azam Tarar, also serving as Parliamentary Affairs Minister, moved the motion, authorizing the chairman Senate to make changes in the committee’s composition.
Awami National Party (ANP) chief Aimal Wali Khan criticized Faisal Vawda without directly naming him. “A proxy would be called a proxy,” he said, expressing his discontent. He referred to a judiciary discussion about an ISI colonel, questioning why such matters ended up in the House.
Faisal Vawda, responding earlier, stated that his “reputation was dented with proxy remarks.” He had announced plans to move a privilege motion against Supreme Court judge Athar Minallah over “proxy remarks” allegedly directed at him.
Law Minister Tarar informed the House about a registered case against unknown individuals for attacking Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, assuring that efforts were underway to apprehend the culprits. The House was adjourned until Friday.
The decision to privatize PIA marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s approach to managing its state-owned enterprises. This move is expected to alleviate the financial burden on the government and introduce efficiency and competitiveness into the airline’s operations. However, it also raises concerns about job security for the thousands of employees currently working for PIA.
The live broadcasting of the bidding process is an unprecedented step towards transparency, aimed at building public trust and ensuring that the privatization process is free from corruption and undue influence.
