Daily Times

The state needs to recognise its problems because that is the first step towards solving them, not sweeping them under the carpet or not blatantly covering them up. Equitable judicial insight could help maintain the equilibrium desperately needed to prevent the miscarriage of justice. Myopic relativism is more often dangerous.

We are well aware of the ill will borne against Pakistan by the enemy. Our enemies have intensified their overt and covert efforts to damage Pakistan’s national interests to the extent that things could go beyond the control capabilities of our institutions. Politicians have to have the courage to focus on the external and internal threats to the state, and to go into action to strengthen institutions to meet all challenges.

Leaders have to lead from the front to defeat the evil designs of the enemy. Leader’s role is to strive for unity and concerted efforts for strategies and policies to usher in an era of hope for prosperity and peace, through international cooperation and support. What Pakistan needs most is to improve its image in the comity of nations. Major objective should be not to let possible isolation and desperation shatter our confidence and the will to surmount all difficulties.

All functionaries of the State must keep an eye on history Specially the Security issues and factors that make a difference for peace and war. It is tragic indeed that we have not learnt any lessons from past mistakes. In fact same blunders have been made time and again instead of avoiding circumstances and events that had proved fatal and fateful in the past. Why nations fail and why leaders fail to understand factors that cause Paradoxes is part of politics and diplomacy to comprehend and apply in practice and action.

Our enemies have intensified their overt and covert efforts to damage Pakistan’s national interests to the extent that things could spiral out of our institutions’ control. Politicians have to have the courage to focus on the external and internal threats to the state, and to take action to strengthen institutions so that they can meet all challenges

It is good that election to the Senate became possible despite many odds and dark clouds reflecting on attitudes and behaviours of those in politics. One thing prominently figured out was that the election does not go according to party lines, but according to the will of MPAS, who are subjected to pressure as well as accusations of ‘horse-trading’.

Informed opinion indicates, “unless it becomes more powerful, the Senate will continue to be the place where a few ministers who do not have seats in the National Assembly, are Parked, and where the debate may be of higher quality than in the ‘other place’ but which will continue to have less power”. Much reform is needed in the system to make senate a truly representative institution with a significant role in decision-making and initiatives for development of society and economy.

As such the Pakistani Senate has no role in making and breaking of governments. It is simply a place to accommodate those who otherwise could not qualify to become members of National Assembly (the lower house) and Ministers. That is why ‘horse-trading’ becomes more popular in senate election. Tug-of-war is currently going on for senate top slots. The major players are PML(N) and the PPP. In the Senate Race the PTI backtracking brightens PML-N Victory Chance.

Those engaged in the study of public enterprise (such as PIA) are aware of the implications for Public enterprise of national economic planning. A report on analysis of problems of public enterprises will be of even greater value to those facing the incomparably more difficult and responsible task of managing the enterprises and ensuring that they make their proper contribution towards the fulfilment of national objectives. Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIA) is one of the Public enterprises which have been directly or indirectly financed by the Federal Government. In case of PIA, the institution/enterprise was initially financed in the following manner: – 90.4 percent of the total paid-up capital provided by government and 9.6 percent by private parties.

Issues and problems involved in financing varied from enterprise to enterprise. Private sector investment was generally shy. Discipline of financial control and accountability of public enterprises was strictly enforced. Merit based selection of personnel and need for continuity in top management was given high priority from the very beginning. Continuity was more important in a single purpose programme such as PIA or some other activities that were conducted through public corporations.

At the end of the day the most important factors were the public image and performance of public enterprises such as PIA. Self-reliance can result into greater initiative and flexibility.

Reinventing of PIA is essential for this enterprise has been pride of Pakistan and model for many countries to follow and in establishing their own Airlines. It is good to know that government of Pakistan is pondering on plans to salvage PIA. Come what may PIA has to stay as Pakistan’s Pride and prestigious asset: strategy is needed to improve financial situation and operational and service capabilities as well as to attract investment for stronger future of the PIAC.

The Cabinet has recently approved the Privatisation of PIA. 49 percent of the shares of the national flag carrier will be privatised. The government will retain 51 percent shares and the management control. It was also proposed that non-essential real estate assets including Roosevelt Hotel, USA, Hotel Scribe in France, domestic and foreign properties, precision Engineering Complex would be retained by the government of Pakistan. The airline business would attain positive balance sheet after transfer of legacy liabilities from PIACL which will further enhance its operational and structural outlook.

Only air transport business of PIA will be privatised. The Non-Core business of PIA will be put into another company along with the liabilities.

Before its privatisation, the government would separate the core and non-core business of PIA by 15th April as per the PIAC conversion Act 2016, adopted unanimously by the parliament.

Financial advisers of Privatisation Commission had presented three models for the financial restructuring and segregation of Core and non-Core assets and liabilities of PIA. In the recent meeting the participants deliberated upon those three models in detail and proposed the implementation of Segregation.

The cabinet committee on privatisation had approved the privatisation programme in October, 2013 which included Reconstructing of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC), followed by divestment of GOP equity stakes to strategic partner with management control ‘transaction’.

The consortium was appointed by PC for the transaction which was to be undertaken in two phases, that is, formulation of restructuring and divestment strategy, following with facilitating private sector partnership in the Core operations of PIACL.

The writer is a former Director, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert and an author. His book Post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States

Published in Daily Times, March 13^th 2018.