Senate Defence Committee Welcomes PIA Privatization, Raises Concerns Over Quetta Fares and Chitral Flights
The Senate Standing Committee on Defence has welcomed the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), appreciating efforts to improve investment and management through private-sector involvement. However, the committee expressed serious concern over the sharp increase in airfares to Quetta and the suspension of flights to Chitral.
According to a report by Asim Yasin published in an English daily, the committee meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood. Key issues discussed included PIA’s privatization process, rising airfares to Quetta, suspension of flights on the Chitral route, the Pakistan–Afghanistan border security situation, and the defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Committee members also urged the Defence Minister to ensure regular attendance at committee meetings.
Opening the session, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood welcomed PIA’s privatization, stating that running businesses is not the government’s core responsibility. He said privatization would reduce the financial burden on the national exchequer and expressed hope that professional management would help PIA regain its former reputation.
The committee voiced strong concern over the suspension of PIA flights to Chitral. Officials informed the committee that only two ATR aircraft are currently operational, which led to the suspension of flights on the route.
The Defence Secretary assured the committee that after privatization and availability of funds, priority is being given to repairing grounded aircraft, and recommendations are being forwarded to the consortium for the restoration of Chitral flights.
It was also suggested that air travel in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan could be improved with the support of the Ministry of Defence under the Green Tourism initiative, while the possibility of linking Chitral flights with chartered operations and helicopter services was also discussed.
The committee chairman recommended restoring at least two weekly flights to Chitral, emphasizing that some routes are of strategic importance and should not be evaluated solely on profitability.
The Senate committee also raised strong reservations over the unusually high airfares to Quetta and urged the Ministry of Defence to introduce an effective fare-capping mechanism to keep prices under control. Officials explained that fares are generally determined by demand and supply, but assured the committee that a mechanism would be developed to prevent excessive fare hikes.
Additionally, the committee highlighted flaws in the airport protocol system, issues related to the validity of passes, and the poor condition of washrooms at airports. Members were informed that cabinet approval has been granted for outsourcing services at three major airports to improve facilities.
Towards the end of the meeting, the committee received an in-camera briefing on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border situation and the recent defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The committee expressed satisfaction over the briefing and termed the agreement a positive development.
