ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a reduction in its fares on domestic and major international flights, including Umra fares, with immediate effect to stabilise unrealistic hike in fares and to facilitate its valued customers.

PIA spokesperson Daniyal Gilani confirmed to Dawn.com that fares have been reduced by up to 50 per cent.

Fares on Karachi-Islamabad-Karachi and Karachi-Lahore-Karachi are now be starting at Rs7,500 while return tickets for Umra would start from Rs54,500 for passengers from Lahore/Islamabad and Rs44,500 for passengers from Karachi.

Strike ends

The reduction in fares comes a day after the Joint action Committee (JAC) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees announced the end of its strike against the proposed privatisation of the national flag carrier and asked employees to resume flight operations across the country with immediate effect.

Private carriers had allegedly hiked their fares during the duration of the strike by the national carrier. The Competition Commission of Pakistan has taken notice of the fare hike by private carriers.

Privatisation of PIA

The National Assembly on January 21 witnessed the passage of six bills, including one to convert the national flag carrier into a public limited company.

Under the bill, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) is to be converted into a public limited company as Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL).

The government plans to split the ailing national flag carrier PIA into two companies and sell the control of its core business to a global airline, but the opposition to the sell-off has been intense.