Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into a misleading advertisement promoting Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Paris. This decision came after the advertisement created confusion and gave a false impression about PIA’s services.
The issue was raised in the Senate session by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. During the meeting, Senator Sherry Rehman questioned whether PIA’s privatization plan was still going forward or had been canceled. She pointed out that PIA currently has 34 planes, but only 19 are in operation, with the rest grounded.
Senator Rehman also criticized the advertisement, which showed an image of a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower with the message “We Are Coming.” She found the ad embarrassing and asked which advertising agency was responsible for it and who approved it. In response, Senator Ishaq Dar confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered an investigation into the misleading ad.
This investigation is seen as necessary after the advertisement suggested that PIA was ready to launch flights to Paris, which is not entirely true. It caused confusion among the public, as it appeared to suggest that flights would resume soon, even though PIA had not yet made such an announcement.
In the same Senate session, Ishaq Dar also addressed past issues that had affected PIA’s reputation. He mentioned a statement by former Minister Sarwar Khan, which had led to a ban on PIA flights in Europe, the UK, and the US. The ban was linked to claims that some Pakistani pilots had been involved in fraudulent activities. However, Ishaq Dar clarified that the government had taken steps to lift the ban and that the European Union had already removed restrictions on PIA flights.
Ishaq Dar also gave an update on PIA’s current situation. He confirmed that 22 of PIA’s planes are currently operational, while 11 others are under repair. He also reassured the public that the process of privatizing PIA was moving ahead and that a corporate sector takeover would be a good step for the airline’s future.
Moreover, Ishaq Dar shared good news regarding the resumption of PIA flights to the UK. He mentioned that a team was expected to arrive by the end of January to work on restoring these flights. The hope is that the flights will resume by March or April. He emphasized that the government is working hard on diplomatic efforts to restore PIA’s international operations.
The misleading advertisement was one of the main issues discussed, as it contributed to public confusion. The Prime Minister’s decision to order an investigation shows the government’s commitment to ensuring that all advertising and claims made by public institutions like PIA are accurate and trustworthy.
PIA’s privatization and its efforts to resume flights to international destinations are ongoing. The government is hopeful that these steps will improve the airline’s financial health and reputation. However, the misleading advertisement has created a temporary setback, leading to the Prime Minister’s call for further investigation.
Read Also: PIA Paris Flight Ad Sparks Online Uproar Over Design Choices!
