LAHORE: Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has asked the government to take the Pakistan Airlines International (PIA) privatisation issue to parliament.

“The PML-N government should resolve the issue through dialogue with the protesting employees. It should avoid the use of force to suppress the employees’ voice,” the former premier said while talking to reporters here on Sunday.

He said the government mishandled the protest that resulted in killing of two workers. He further said the government should consider the protesting employees Pakistanis and understand their concern about privatisation, which might render them jobless.

“The government should bring this matter to parliament and find an amicable solution,” he suggested.

To a question about reorganisation of the PPP in Punjab to prepare for future elections, Ashraf said: “The PPP is very much present in Punjab. Under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari it will perform well in the coming elections.”

Meanwhile, PIA employees held a demonstration at the Lahore airport along with their children and demanded the government take back its decision to privatise the national flag carrier. Holding placards, the protesters were shouting slogans against the government for showing ‘disinterest’ towards their “just” demand. They said they would not let the government starve their children in the name of privatisation. They added they would continue to protest until the acceptance of their demands.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2016