ISLAMABAD: A day after the worst-ever fuel crisis again hit Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operation, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday asked the authorities concerned to expedite the privatization process of the national flag career.
During the past few weeks, PIA flight operations have been severely affected, with multiple flights cancelled due to the unavailability of fuel amid the prevailing financial crisis faced by the national carrier.
As many as twenty-six flights have been cancelled from Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gwadar, and other cities after the Pakistan State Oil cut its fuel supply to the PIA on Sunday, according to media reports.
Chairing a review meeting on the financial crisis of the national flag carrier, the prime minister stressed the finalization of the privatization process within the stipulated time.
He sought regular compliance reports to be submitted to him in this regard.
The PM said the government would continue extending support to PIA till the completion of its privatization.
He said the state-owned enterprises, which were facing financial loss, would be privatized to save the national exchequer.
PM Kakar Briefed on PIA Financial Situation
The prime minister was given a briefing on the financial situation of PIA.
In August 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Privatization approved placing PIA on an active list of privatizations following an amendment passed by parliament and also granted its assent to hire a financial adviser for the transaction of PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel, New York.
