ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) on Wednesday opposed federal government’s plan to privatize Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), saying state institutions having strategic importance should not be sold.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week directed the Ministry of Privatization and Civil Aviation Division to initiate the process of privatization of 26 percent shares of national flag carrier through an open and transparent manner to make the airline competitive and service-oriented.
Taking to media persons in Islamabad on Wednesday, the PPP senior leader Senator Raza Rabbani said that planes of the national airline fly all over Pakistan and that who would control them after the privatization.
“State institutions having strategic importance should not be sold,” Rabbani said.
The senior PPP leader also opposed the proposed privatization and golden hand shake scheme for employees.
Rabbani said that International Monetary Fund interfered in the country’s internal affairs by approving USD6.8 billion. He said the government was awarding those who financed their election campaign.
