ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan blamed the PML-N government for acquiring two planes in 2015 on an expensive lease that the national carrier failed to pay on time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Talking to media persons in Rawalpindi, he said that a case was being heard in a United Kingdom court but a Malaysian court issued an order without giving the airline a chance to present arguments.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the next hearing in London court is on January 22 while the Malaysian court hearing is fixed for January 24. Reports suggest that the owner and director of the company that leased the plane to PIA are Indian nationals with offices located in Dubai, UAE.

While a PIA press release issued on Saturday said the airline management was taking measures for “contesting in a Malaysian court on an urgent basis for release of the PIA aircraft”, the PIA has no answer as to why it sent the Boeing-777 overseas knowing the fact that it had not paid the lease amount for the past many months and the matter is in litigation.

Talking about opposition parties, Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that people have rejected the narrative of the opposition parties and they will not allow these parties to play with the future of the country.

He said holding protest is the right of every one, but it should be under the law and democratic norms.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the incumbent government believes in taking practical steps for welfare of the common man.

He said 110 km long Rawalpindi Ring Road project would not only help resolve the traffic issues, but also create job opportunities and give a boost to economic activities in the area.

The Minister said five small dams are being constructed in Rawalpindi Division that will meet irrigation needs of local formers, which would also be helpful to overcome water shortage issues.