Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an investigation into a controversial advertisement promoting Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Paris flights.
The issue was brought up by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a Senate session addressing PIA’s privatisation. Senator Sherry Rehman criticised the advertisement, claiming it invited public ridicule.
The ad, featuring a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower with the tagline “We’re coming,” was described as misleading about the airline’s intentions. Rehman questioned which agency created the ad and who approved it.
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Dar confirmed that the prime minister had ordered a detailed probe into the matter. He highlighted PIA’s ongoing challenges, including operational limitations. Out of its 34 aircraft, only 22 are functioning, with 11 undergoing repairs.
He also revisited past issues, such as a statement by former minister Sarwar Khan, which alleged the presence of fake pilots in PIA. This claim led to flight bans in Europe, the UK, and the US, costing the airline Rs87 billion annually.
Dar mentioned that efforts to resolve these bans are underway, with UK flights expected to resume by March or April.
Regarding privatisation, Dar said the government plans to involve the corporate sector in improving PIA’s operations, while investigations into past missteps continue.
