Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the controversial advertisement for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Paris flights.
This directive was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a Senate session on PIA’s privatization on Tuesday.
Read: PIA Resumes Direct Flights to Paris After Four-Year Hiatus
Senator Sherry Rehman expressed concerns about the airline’s future, questioning the status of its privatization. She noted that only 19 of PIA’s 34 aircraft are operational, with the others grounded.
Rehman also criticized the Paris flight advertisement for causing public ridicule. She questioned the agency behind the ad and the official who approved it. The advertisement, showing a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower with the tagline “We’re coming,” allegedly misrepresented the airline’s intentions.
Ishaq Dar confirmed PM Shehbaz’s directive for an investigation, emphasizing the campaign’s misleading nature.
Additionally, he referenced past issues that damaged PIA’s image, including claims by former minister Sarwar Khan about fake pilots, which led to flight bans in Europe, the UK, and the US.
Following these claims, the PDM government formed a committee that successfully negotiated with the UK’s foreign secretary to resolve these issues.
Read: PIA’s Paris Flight Promo Stirs Controversy Over Sensitive Imagery
Dar stated that 22 of PIA’s aircraft are operational, and 11 are under repair. He confirmed the privatization process is ongoing and involves Pakistan’s corporate sector.
Furthermore, Dar mentioned efforts to restore PIA flights to the UK, hopeful for resumption by March or April, with a team expected by the end of January.
He concluded that the former minister’s statements had caused an annual loss of Rs87 billion and damaged the reputation of Pakistani pilots. The cabinet has recommended an inquiry into these matters.
