PM Sharif orders probe into PIA's Paris flight ad after public backlash

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an investigation into a controversial advertisement promoting the launch of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Paris.

The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a Senate session held to discuss PIA's privatisation on Tuesday.

Senator Sherry Rehman raised pressing concerns over the airline’s future, questioning whether the privatisation process had been shelved or was still underway. She further pointed out that only 19 out of PIA’s 34 aircraft are operational, with the remainder grounded.

Rehman specifically criticised the Paris flight advertisement, which depicted a PIA plane near the Eiffel Tower accompanied by the tagline, “We’re coming.” She argued the ad misrepresented PIA’s operations and sparked public ridicule. Rehman demanded accountability for both the agency that created the campaign and the official who approved it.

In response, Ishaq Dar confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed an investigation into the ad. He underscored the misleading nature of the campaign, which had already damaged PIA’s credibility.

Dar also addressed broader challenges facing the national carrier, including its tarnished image after a statement by former minister Sarwar Khan, who claimed the airline employed fake pilots. The allegation led to a ban on PIA flights in Europe, the UK, and the US, resulting in annual losses of Rs87 billion.

Efforts to restore PIA’s reputation and operational capacity are underway, according to Dar. A committee was formed under the PDM government, which successfully reopened discussions with the UK’s foreign secretary. Dar confirmed that PIA’s flights to the UK are expected to resume by March or April, with a team set to arrive in January to finalise arrangements.

He also provided an update on PIA’s fleet, stating that 22 aircraft are operational while 11 are under maintenance.

Dar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to privatising PIA, aiming to involve the corporate sector in the process.