NA panel endorses PIA privatisation

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the government’s decision to privatise Pakistan International Airlines Company Ltd (PIACL), while underscoring the need to preserve the airline’s heritage and protect the rights of its employees. Chaired by Fateh Ullah Khan, the committee empha­sised that any future operator must ensure that PIA aircraft continue to display the Pakistani flag and the iconic PIA logo, symbols regarded as representations of national pride and continuity. Members urged that employees be treated with fairness and compassion throughout the privatisation process, with their rights and livelihoods protected. The committee expressed strong appreciation for the recent resumption of PIA flights to the United Kingdom and France after a five-year suspension