Daily Times

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has closed its booking office in Larkana. It has also permanently transferred all staff members posted there, and they have been directed to report to the general manager (HR) in Karachi. It must be mentioned here that Mohenjo Daro airport was built by former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to facilitate international and national tourists visiting the world heritage archaeological sites in Mohenjo Daro, but after 40 years the PIA has suddenly closed down its office, which will badly affect efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan to encourage and attract tourism in the country.

The traders and businessmen of Larkana have also criticised the PIA decision, which, according to them, would have a negative impact.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the closure and shifting of PIA booking office from Larkana and termed it the height of discriminatory treatment towards the people of Larkana.

In a statement, the PPP chairman said that it appeared that the rulers had not heaved sigh even after victimising the leadership from Larkana for five decades, as closure of PIA offices in Larkana was tantamount to punishment to the people for their love and loyalty to the PPP. He said that the puppet government was beating the drums of promoting tourism on one hand and depriving the tourists of facilities to visit world’s historic archaeological site on the other.

“The prime minister should stop sowing the seeds of additional sense of deprivation through discriminatory policies, as the nation is still suffering from the curses inflicted by previous dictators and their puppets,” he added. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed that rulers should stop creating two Pakistans through sheer discrimination, and demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision of closing down PIA office operating in Larkana for the last 40 years.