The PIA quagmire
Government is now reportedly contemplating launching another airline
PHOTO: REUTERS
It seems that the government’s actions on the economic front, of late, have been met with only two kinds of responses: harsh criticism or fierce protests. This just goes to show the kind of hostility that the PML-N is faced with. However, it has no one but itself to blame for this state of affairs. The PML-N’s habit of trying to run the show single-handedly, without consultation, has forced it on the back foot on more than one occasion. Its latest attempt at salvaging its reputation has now resulted in it mulling over an entirely bizarre option. After failing to make any progress on the issue of the privatisation of the ailing PIA, the government is now reportedly contemplating launching another airline. Planes will be obtained through wet lease and operations would be outsourced. The airline would be looked after by the government, but would remain a private company in practice.
There is no doubt that all draconian moves vis-a-vis dealings with the PIA unions have backfired so far. There has been little emphasis on dialogue and the government, with all its power, has been unable to win. This is partly because it was never willing to get all stakeholders on board on a matter as important as the privatisation of the national carrier. But worst of all is its habit of continuing to adopt a stubborn approach in the face of adversity, which is now causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. Both the unions and the government must realise that talks need to be held and issues addressed in good faith. Both parties need to sit down and work out a way to make PIA stand on its feet. The airline has the potential to make this happen, but the will for this has been missing for years. Launching another airline will achieve nothing, but increase problems for a government desperately looking to narrow the budget deficit. In any case, who would want to invest money in an airline when there is a reasonable chance that PIA employees, who appear to have plenty of street power, could block roads leading towards airports? If the government wants employees to end their strike, it has chosen the worst way possible. There is no way out of this mess except to initiate a dialogue. The employee unions must also show flexibility for the sake of the flying public. Discussions need to begin with only one agenda — helping PIA recover.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2016.
There is no doubt that all draconian moves vis-a-vis dealings with the PIA unions have backfired so far. There has been little emphasis on dialogue and the government, with all its power, has been unable to win. This is partly because it was never willing to get all stakeholders on board on a matter as important as the privatisation of the national carrier. But worst of all is its habit of continuing to adopt a stubborn approach in the face of adversity, which is now causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. Both the unions and the government must realise that talks need to be held and issues addressed in good faith. Both parties need to sit down and work out a way to make PIA stand on its feet. The airline has the potential to make this happen, but the will for this has been missing for years. Launching another airline will achieve nothing, but increase problems for a government desperately looking to narrow the budget deficit. In any case, who would want to invest money in an airline when there is a reasonable chance that PIA employees, who appear to have plenty of street power, could block roads leading towards airports? If the government wants employees to end their strike, it has chosen the worst way possible. There is no way out of this mess except to initiate a dialogue. The employee unions must also show flexibility for the sake of the flying public. Discussions need to begin with only one agenda — helping PIA recover.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2016.