Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into an advertisement released by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announcing the resumption of flights to Paris. This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a Senate session.

The announcement followed questions regarding PIA’s privatization plans. Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) raised concerns about the advertisement, questioning its accuracy and the process behind its creation.

She highlighted the advertisement’s depiction of a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower with the tagline “We’re Coming,” suggesting a misleading impression. She also questioned the airline’s operational status, noting that only 19 of its 34 aircraft are currently operational.

Senator Dar confirmed the Prime Minister’s order for an inquiry into the advertisement. He clarified that 22 PIA aircraft are operational, with 11 undergoing repairs. He reiterated the government’s commitment to privatizing PIA, suggesting that Pakistan’s corporate sector would be a suitable buyer and that the process is underway.

Dar also addressed the issue of restoring PIA flights to the UK, stating that a team is expected to arrive from the UK by the end of January, with hopes of resuming flights in March or April.

He emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts to facilitate this. He further mentioned that a previous minister’s statement had caused an estimated annual loss of 87 billion Rupees to the airline and that the cabinet had decided to launch an inquiry into the matter, highlighting the negative impact on Pakistani pilots.