Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into a controversial advertisement released by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) promoting the resumption of flights to Paris.
The decision was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a Senate session on Tuesday, in response to a calling-attention notice filed by PPP Senator Sherry Rehman.
Senator Rehman criticized the advertisement, which depicted a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower with the slogan “We’re Coming,” arguing that it raised serious security concerns and misrepresented the airline’s intentions, leading to public mockery.
“Who approved this advertisement, and why was it allowed to go live without proper scrutiny?” Senator Rehman questioned. She also expressed concern about the airline’s operational status, noting that only 19 out of its 34 aircraft are currently functional.
In response, Senator Dar assured the Senate that the Prime Minister had taken note of the issue and instructed an independent inquiry into the advertisement’s creation and approval process.
Dar reiterated the government’s commitment to privatizing PIA, ensuring the process would be conducted transparently. He also shared that 22 aircraft, including six Boeings, 11 Airbuses, and five ATRs, are operational, while six Boeings and five Airbuses are undergoing repairs.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope that PIA flights to the United Kingdom would resume by March or April, with a UK team scheduled to visit Pakistan by the end of January for a physical assessment.
Dar also addressed past controversies, referencing former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan’s claims that PIA pilots held fake licenses. These remarks led to bans on PIA flights in Europe, the UK, and the US, causing an annual loss of Rs87 billion and significant reputational damage to Pakistan’s aviation industry.
The cabinet, he added, had recommended an inquiry into the former minister’s statement, given its wide-ranging impact on PIA and the grounding of several Pakistani pilots working for international carriers.
Senator Rehman also raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding PIA’s privatization plan, urging the government to provide transparency. “The grounding of aircraft and uncertainty about the airline’s future require immediate attention,” she said.
In defense of the privatization initiative, Dar affirmed that the process is progressing swiftly and encouraged Pakistan’s corporate sector to take the lead in revitalizing the national carrier.
