Islamabad: Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, said on Sunday that it has no plan to privatise Pakistan International Airlines but instead will seek a strategic partner for its national carrier.
In a statement quoted by Radio Pakistan, Dar said efforts would be made to invite credible and reputed international strategic partners to the extent of 26 per cent in only the core business of PIA.
The finance minister categorically stated there will be no layoffs at the airlines. According to the government, losses at the airline amount to billions of rupees annually.
The statement followed weeks of protests by PIA employees following a presidential ordinance was issued to convert the airline into a corporation.
Dar said as a result of government’s efforts, there has been a visible improvement in the overall working of the airline. He said the number of operational aircraft available with PIA has increased from 18 to 38 and this figure will rise to 40 by the end of this month. Similarly, the average aircraft age has been reduced from 14 years to 9 years and the government is aiming to bring it further down to 6 years, the finance minister said.
The minister said the presidential ordinance issued recently aimed at freeing the PIA management from government control and enabling it to take its decisions independently.
