THE privatisation of our national airline reminds one of the Greek legend of Pene­lope’s loom — a continuous exercise designed to tire suitors.

Since PIA’s creation in 1955, its history has been a triumph of experience over hope. Initially, PIA took off with enviable success under Air Marshal Nur Khan (MD 1959-65 and chairman 1973-79) and Air Marshal Asghar Khan (president 1965-68). Their tenures were lauded as the ‘golden years of PIA’. Its hostesses wore uniforms designed by Pierre Cardin and PIA became the first non-communist airline to fly to the People’s Republic of China.

PIA taught fledgling airlines like Emira­tes to fly. However, over the past 30 years, PIA has become an albatross around the ne­­­­­­­ck of every government. It sustained ope­rating losses and liquidity problems, due (according to IMF) “to frequent pilot stri­k­­e­­s, issues with various vendors, overstaffing, and political interference in airline ma­­nagement”. Some believed that its acronym stood for ‘Perhaps I’ll arrive’ or ‘Please inform Allah’.

Governments tried to unload PIA throu­­gh privatisation. They could have considered the example of that High Priestess of Privatisation — Margaret Thatcher. She be­­lieved that the state’s role should be of a........

© Dawn