Rabbani opposes PIA privatisation

Demands inclusion of ‘stakeholders’ in restructuring, revival committee

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani on Sunday said that the PIA privatisation should not be a “part of the agenda,” calling for the appointment of regulators “specific for aviation industry.”

The senator expressed his remarks in a statement demanding the inclusion of the elected Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) and other associations representing the national carriers various technical working class in the newly constituted PIA restructuring and revival committee.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should recall that in the past, Rabbani pointed out that such ministerial committees were formed but they failed as their solutions were contrary to the ground realities as the actual stakeholders were not consulted.

Senator Rabbani, in order to avoid such unfortunate fate, suggested the inclusion of the “stakeholders” so that the initiative produces fruitful results.

“The solution to PIA lies in a holistic approach,” he said, adding all the stakeholders have to own and work towards the solution.

Calling for a more egalitarian approach, the senator demanded the increase in the salaries of the working class, quoting example of the recent hike in pilots’ pay

He further asserted that “any solution without the unions will be resisted.”

Responding to the news related to the outsourcing of the country’s airports, Senator Rabbani said that the government should not outsource the airports at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad as “these are sensitive national assets” with strategic importance.