ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui has said the revival of non-profitable organizations was national agenda and work was underway in this regard.
He said there is no need to worry about opposition agitation since they did not have any public support.
Irfan Siddiqui said that the government would probe the killing incident during protest.
Talking to media persons, he said the government was looking for strategic partner for Pakistan International Airlines, adding there was no plan to privatize PIA – the national flag carrier.
He said there would be no layoff of employees and the issue has already been decided.
He said that people had given mandate to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in 2013 election and now it was taking steps to implement its manifesto for the welfare of people.
He said that process was suspended for six months after meeting of the Prime Minister with PIA’s Union office bearers.
He said that transparency was ensured in the strategic partnership process and the political parties were taken on board in the Parliament on the issue.
Irfan Siddiqui said that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto also privatized 27 organization during her tenure since these were non-profitable.
He said that there were two options for the government whether to take steps for revival of sick bodies or continue to face deficit.
He said more than 1000 employees were performing duty on a single plane of PIA as compared with international standard.
He said that the government had increased number of PIA planes from 18 to 34 and it also working on induction of more planes to national flag carrier.
Replying to a question, he said that opposition had no justification for politicizing PIA issue as privatization was also part of PTI’s manifesto.
He said that government performance had been satisfactory during two and half years, adding incidents of terrorism had declined and foreign investment had increased.
He said national and international monetary institutions had endorsed improvement in the economy and reforms process was underway at the national level.
He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had set up separate Division for implementing Urdu Language as official language and efforts in this regard would continue to have positive results.
He said that regional office of Pakistan Academy of Letters would be set up in Multan for facilitating writers and intellectuals of Southern Punjab and added he was in contact with Governor Punjab for provision of building.
Source: APP
