PM orders inquiry into PIA flight ad after public backlash

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the controversial advertisement for the launch of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Paris flights.

This directive was shared by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a Senate session focused on a notice regarding PIA’s privatisationon Tuesday.

Senator Sherry Rehman raised concerns about the airline’s future, questioning whether the privatisation plan had been cancelled or was still proceeding. She also highlighted that, of PIA’s 34 aircraft, only 19 are operational, with the rest grounded.

Rehman also criticised the Paris flight advertisement, which she claimed led to public ridicule, questioning the agency responsible for the ad and the official who approved it.

The advertisement featured a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower with the tagline "We’re coming," which she argued misrepresented the airline’s intentions.

Ishaq Dar confirmed that PM Shehbaz had instructed an investigation into the matter, emphasising the misleading nature of the campaign.

He addressed past issues with PIA’s image, mentioning that a statement from former minister Sarwar Khan had led to bans on PIA flights in Europe, the UK, and the US, after claims of fake pilots.

He further stated that following this, a committee was formed under the PDM government, and efforts to resolve the issue with the UK’s foreign secretary were successful.

On the airline’s fleet, Dar noted that 22 of PIA’s aircraft are currently operational, while 11 are under repair. He confirmed that PIA would undergo privatisation, with the government working to involve Pakistan’s corporate sector in the process.

Dar also mentioned efforts to restore PIA flights to the UK, with a team expected to arrive by the end of January. He expressed hope that flights to the UK would resume by March or April.

He highlighted that the statement by the former minister had caused an annual loss of Rs87 billion, and added that an inquiry into the matter had been recommended by the cabinet. The statement, he said, had also harmed the reputation of Pakistani pilots.