THIS is with reference to the report “Pakistan to tackle potential bidders’ concern over PIA safety ban” (July 3). It is a sad story that an airline that once comprised ‘great people to fly with’ is fighting for its very survival, while the investors are showing reluctance by laying tough preconditions for a possible buyout. It is a sorry state of affairs, indeed.

It all began with the ‘open sky’ policy that proved a disastrous one, right from its inception. It seems that the movers, planners and initiators of the scheme did not do proper spade work, and did not visualise the impact it was bound to have on the national carrier’s financial position, ultimately culminating in its final demise.

In such conditions, the national airline could hardly face the cut-throat compe- tition, and its revenues continued to go down. It was not surprising that the airline registered accumulated losses from year to year. I am not sure if it was a deliberate attempt by those having a vested interest in the downfall of the once great airline.

To top it all, the utterly irresponsible statement by the aviation minister in 2020 on the floor of the National Assembly about the dubious credentials of about 150 airline pilots, who were grounded pending investigations, was the last nail in the airline’s coffin. The safety concern led to the ban on flights to Europe, resulting in the airline’s annual revenue to fall in billions.

Lastly, whenever the losses of the airline are discussed, the reason and circums-tances are hardly brought to the fore, responsibility is not fixed and accounta-bility is not held against those involved in its financial trouble for damaging the reputation of the country’s national asset. The precarious situation of what once used to be a great national asset and the pride of the nation gives one a heavy heart.

Muhammad K Sufi
Maryland, USA

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2024