Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said the national airline was suffering a big financial loss every month, yet it would not be privatised. Talking to media at PIA Head Office here on Friday, he said that the airline would have to raise Haj fares.
The Minister said that defective policies of previous management were responsible for the present condition of the PIA. "Everyone tried to loot the corporation, considering it a gold mine," he observed.
On the occasion, a large number of PIA employees demonstrated outside PIA Head Office, demanding regularisation of contract employees. According to their union leaders, some 3,282 employees had been working on contract for the last 18 years.
Talking to media at PIA Head Office here on Friday, he said that if negotiations with local Taliban succeeded it would prove beneficial not only for Pakistan but also for the whole world. that the government was examining the missile attack in Bajur area. He said that last year also a similar issue was resolved.
The minister said that army would not be withdrawn from the borders. He said that the Indian defence minister was expected to visit Pakistan in the next few weeks. About PIA, he said it was on the verge of ruin, and efforts were being made for a turnaround.