Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, has urged the federal government to manage key institutions such as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Steel Mills through public-private partnerships (PPPs) rather than pursuing privatization.
He highlighted that the Sindh government owns the land for Pakistan Steel Mills. He proposed that if the federal government cannot rehabilitate the mills, they should transfer management to the Sindh government under a PPP model.
Bilawal emphasized the success and effectiveness of PPP projects in Sindh, which his party has actively supported and enhanced. He suggested that a similar approach should be considered for PIA, recommending that the government sell a portion of its shares to the private sector to aid the airline’s development, ultimately benefiting Pakistan’s economy.
Further, Bilawal declared that the land for Steel Mills has always belonged to the Sindh government and that any decisions regarding the facility should involve its consent. He argued that if the federal government lacks the commitment to maintain the Steel Mills, the Sindh government should take over its operations, aiming to manage it more effectively through a PPP and ensuring the protection of workers’ interests.
Speaking at a Labor Day event at the Karachi Arts Council, Bilawal celebrated with workers and underscored the People’s Party’s philosophy that workers should be fully compensated for their labour. He hoped that the governments of Sindh, Balochistan, and the federation would raise salaries. He also highlighted that during his party’s governance from 2008 to 2013, numerous laws favouring workers’ rights were enacted, marking a period of significant legislative support for labour rights in Pakistan’s history.
Bilawal reiterated his call for the federal government to prioritize public-private partnerships over privatizations, specifically with PIA, to ensure the airline’s revitalization and continued contribution to the national economy.
