Statements on fake license prepares grounds for PIA privatisation: Rabbani.

ISLAMABAD -- Former chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani Wednesday said that irresponsible statement of the federal government on the alleged fake and irregular licenses of pilots has resulted in grave consequences for the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart said that the operations of PIA had been suspended in Europe and UK following a public statement of aviation minister that more than 30 percent of civilian pilots in Pakistan including a number of PIA pilots possessed fake licenses and did not qualify to fly. 'This will result in all most virtual shut down of the carrier,' Rabbani said adding that a judicial inquiry must be ordered into the motive and intent of such a statement. 'It seems that grounds and reasons are being prepared to privatize PIA to the cronies of the government.'

As reported, a 'secret, most urgent' notice dated June 19, 2020, had been circulated by the Cabinet Division for a meeting of the...