What are the Highlights ?
- Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan does not want privatization of Flag bearer Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
- Efforts are on to make the national flag carrier a profitable organization.
- Pilot Licences transparency arrangement being done.
- PIA's Loss-making routes have been closed while profitable routes have been added.
On Friday , Pakistani Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan informed the National Assembly that there is no plan to privatise the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
He further re-inforced his statement by informing the National Assmbly that the current government wants to make the national flag carrier a self-reliant and profitable entity.
He also tried to demonstrate the efforts of the government to improve the financial status of the airline by reducing its losses through different means.
As per him, loss-making routes have been closed and flights on profitable routes have been added to control the losses.
The aviation minister answered a question by saying, 82 pilots have been dismissed for acquiring licenses through unfair means.
He talked about a transparent mechanism to ensure the issuance of licenses, using services of UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) through an agreement.
"The International Civil Aviation Authority will carry out an audit of our Civil Aviation Authority in July this year."
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The minister Expressed confidence that the PIA will regain its past glory, the minister hoped that this will lead to the removal of travel restrictions on the PIA imposed by a few European countries.
The Minister for Aviation said Quetta and Dera Ismail Khan Airports will be upgraded and that eight new aircrafts will be inducted into the fleet of PIA to further improve its performance.
