Islamabad: The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has dismissed the petition seeking to halt the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), lifting the previous order that restrained the process.
A bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the case regarding the national airline’s privatization. During the hearing, Additional Attorney General informed the court that the government had initiated the privatization process after the Supreme Court had allowed PIA’s management to recruit new professionals. However, no new appointments were made due to the privatization plan, which is now being resumed.
The Additional Attorney General also confirmed that the ban on PIA’s flight operations has been lifted.
Justice Aminuddin Khan remarked that the resumption of the privatization process might yield better offers this time. Meanwhile, Justice Jamal Mandokhail raised concerns about whether the government was violating any Supreme Court directives by proceeding with the privatization.
Justice Mandokhail emphasized that the court had previously ordered that the privatization should be carried out with the court’s confidence. In response, the Additional Attorney General stated that the government had already submitted a request to seek the court’s confidence in the process.
Concluding the proceedings, Justice Mandokhail remarked, “The court gives its confidence. Ensure that PIA’s privatization is handled efficiently.”
The bench subsequently lifted the stay order and disposed of the petition.
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