Rabbani wants MPs to examine PIA privatisation

ISLAMABAD: Terming the privatization process of the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) confined to the ruling elite, former chairman Senate Raza Rabbani has asked the government to rethink the privatization process and form a parliamentary committee to examine it.

“The details have been shared with only the IMF, while the parliament is in the dark,” he said in a statement on Monday. He also asked his party Pakistan Peoples Party – to give a clear line to its elected labour union in the PIA. He sought answers to five questions:

i) What is going to be the treatment of various prime properties owned by the PIA in different cities of Pakistan? ii) What is going to be the treatment of various properties and hotels owned by the PIA in foreign countries? iii) What is going to be the treatment in terms of job security of regular employees of the PIA? iv) What is going to be the treatment of cockpit crew? v) What is going to be the treatment of retired employees in terms of their pensions?

Rabbani said the PIA was on the Federal Legislative List, Part II, Constitution, 1973, hence under Article 154, Constitution, 1973, its policy is governed by the CCI. He said the policy approval for the PIA privatization should have been taken from the CCI and not the cabinet as this was unconstitutional. He said the PIA was a strategic asset and in a state of emergency was used for defence purposes. “Being given in part or full in foreign hands will compromise the national defence,” he said, adding that the privatization seemed to be a clandestine operation where details had not been shared with the elected labour union, professional associations or common employees.