ANI
19 Sep 2023, 01:55 GMT+10
Karachi [Pakistan], September 18 (ANI): Amid a severe financial crisis plaguing Pakistan on multiple fronts, frustration among the population has reached its peak as the government has decided to privatize the country's national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The dire financial situation has cast a shadow over various sectors of the Pakistani economy, with PIA now going for privatization as a potential solution.
The decision comes in the wake of Pakistan's efforts to fulfil the terms of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal and explore the outsourcing of airport operations.
In Karachi, the bustling economic hub and Pakistan's largest city, local residents have voiced their concerns, primarily attributing the financial woes of PIA to alleged government and bureaucratic corruption.
One Karachi resident expressed deep frustration, saying, "We are not progressing because our leaders are incompetent. They are privatizing it because there is a union there; it is happening because of them. If the government and the leaders were capable, we would have reached the moon too. Our leaders are corrupt. All they think about is filling their own coffers and not giving any attention to the welfare of the people. They are now considering privatizing the airline. What this essentially means is that we are good for nothing; let the private sector take charge of affairs. What are we going to receive if everything goes into the hands of private individuals?"Another Karachi resident pointed out the exorbitant ticket fares, stating, "Earlier, PIA ticket fares used to cost us (PKR) 2000-3000. But now, the ticket fares are exorbitantly high. And you know who is responsible for this? The staff of PIA, from the General Manager to the pilots, all draw fat salaries. Just visit Karachi airport once, and you will see that you are made to pay all sorts of taxes. The system has become corrupt. If people from other countries can successfully run this airline, whether they are from China or anywhere else, then why can't the people of Pakistan run it? Ministers and Prime Ministers have always focused on filling their own pockets. The secretaries are corrupt too. They should be held accountable for what they have done to the country."Another Karachi resident lamented the decline of PIA, saying, "Pakistan International Airlines used to have educated people. However, as soon as political parties entered into their affairs, the airline not only witnessed a stagnant phase but also accrued losses."The sentiments expressed by Karachi's residents reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the state of PIA and broader concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the government and bureaucracy.
Privatization has been a contentious issue in Pakistan, with some citizens hoping it will bring efficiency and profitability to the troubled airline, while others worry about its potential impact on the workforce and national interests. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Greek Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.
More InformationDUBAI, UAE - The bustling real estate market in Dubai has surged to unprecedented heights, reporting transactions valued at over ...
ANKARA, Turkey: During a meeting, Michael Evans, President of the Alibaba Group, told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that the Chinese ...
Islamabad [Pakistan], September 25 (ANI): Pakistan's 40 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, as per the ...
Islamabad [Pakistan], September 24 (ANI): Ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, the World Bank gave a candid warning for ...
ACCRA, ghana - Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Saturday for a third day of anti-government ...
Western politicians are so overwhelmed with the feeling of impunity that they forget about self-preservation, Moscow saysWestern politicians are so ...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his visit to the U.S. and Canada this week as "very productive."In his nightly video ...
New York [US], September 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on ...
Paris [France], September 25 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced that Paris will end its military presence in ...
French troops will depart the west African nation in ?the months to come,? the president saidFrance will pull its military ...
Paris - French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday, France is imminently to withdraw its ambassador from Niger, followed by the ...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports) Marcus Semien hit a pair of solo home runs and the Texas Rangers hit ...