The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has notably halted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) ‘s privatisation process. This decision falls under Section 230 of the Elections Act, delineating the responsibilities of a caretaker government.
Details of the Directive
Dr. Asif Hussain, ECP Secretary, addressed a letter to Kamran Ali Afzal, Secretary of the Cabinet Division, requesting all documents about PIA’s privatisation. The ECP’s mandate to the interim federal government is clear. All actions related to the privatisation, including the finalization of agreements, will be paused until the ECP concludes its review under Section 230.
This section mandates that a caretaker government should limit its functions to daily administrative tasks and avoid major policy decisions or any actions that might influence the governance of the future elected administration. The letter explicitly seeks a comprehensive privatisation plan for PIA, indicating the ECP’s intention to thoroughly review the proposed privatisation under the legal framework established by the Elections Act of 2017 and the Privatisation Commission Ordinance of 2000.
In adherence to this directive, the Cabinet Division is instructed to submit the requisite documents for ECP’s examination, ensuring no further steps towards privatisation are undertaken until the commission’s decision. This move underscores the ECP’s commitment to safeguarding the electoral process and governance continuity during the transitional period.
