Daily Times

2020 has been a year of surprises, to start with the much-talked-about pandemic, which locked down the world for an indefinite period; changing the ways of life altogether. The “new normal,” which this pandemic has thrust upon us, is now slowly being adaptive, such as working from home, rise in e-business, dining with family at home, instead of restaurants and a decrease in travels.

2020 not just changed our lifestyle but also changed the way how countries act and react to issues. For instance, it exposed the strengths and weakness of governments and their leaders. If we talk about Pakistan, it was expected to witness a lapse in the healthcare system. It can still be justified with Pakistan being a third world country with a rising population, weak revenue collection system, fragile democracy and bearing yearly expenses on loans etc. But more worrisome attitude came from Khan and his “look busy do nothing” team that habitually attempted blunders to save its own skin and in many ways revealed the incompetence of the government, which had once claimed to be the change factor. Amid the pandemic and economic crisis occurred an unfortunate incident that changed the fate of Pakistan’s national career. PK8303 crashed in a residential area nearby Karachi airport and 97 people, including little children, lost their lives. The news was unfortunate but more shocking was the layback attitude of the PM and his cabinet. Neither the CAA minister accepted his failure and incompetence nor the PM, who earlier never missed a chance to quote Korean PM Chung Hong-won’s resignation over a ferry sinking. Alas! Our PM didn’t even visit the spot where 97 Pakistanis had lost their precious lives. Furthermore, to rub more salt to the wound, after two months, the aviation minister conveniently not only blamed the martyred pilot for the crash but also risked the career of more than 200 PIA pilots by declaring their degrees fake. This resulted in not only the imposition of a ban on the national career in several countries, including Ethiopia but also the lay-off of Pakistani Pilots serving internationally in various airlines; increasing the ratio of unemployment at a time when COVID-19 had already affected the economy, pulling the GDP of Pakistan down to negative. Not only this but with PIA flights on-ground, our cricket team had to fly in Afghanistan Airline. By the time the CAA refuted the allegation of fake licenses and verified all the licences, the damage was already done. The aviation minister must be held accountable for misleading not only his cabinet but the entire country with his ill-informed remarks on the floor of the parliament.

Knowing the repercussions of his statement, the minister deliberately ruined the image of PIA across the globe

Anyone being anywhere in the world would never want to fly to death knowing that a particular airline has dubious pilots. This raises many questions on the intent of the sitting government as to whether they have deliberately grounded the national carrier to benefit themselves or its merely a hit wicket by kaptaan’s Aviation minister? Or both?

Whatsoever, the humiliation faced by PIA, which was once considered to be among the top six airlines of the world is saddening. The airline that bears the national flag has a history of serving with care and pride. It had even trained personnel of Emirates but unfortunately today, it is not allowed to travel anywhere but in Pakistan. A heart-wrenching moment for all of us! PIA is not only our pride but also a hero for the nation. In the 1965 war, PIA was used for carrying artillery logistics. Back then, PIA used to rule the roost. People of Pakistan are emotionally attached to the airline due to its long association with the country.

What Koh-i-Noor was for Indo-Pak, Roosevelt is for PIA. All eyes of today’s economic hitmen and exploiters are on Roosevelt (the Koh-i-Noor of PIA), which is located on the most prime location of Manhattan in New York. Those who intend to dispose of the asset at a time when the property rates are at its lowest are surely not well-wishers of the national carrier but apparently want to mint more and more money and escape once the government is gone!

Interestingly, the Aviation minister had previously proved to be a disastrous Petroleum Minister. Even today, due to his wrong decisions in the petroleum ministry, Pakistan is facing the worst repercussions. Now, PIA is his new prey. A person who himself holds dubious academic credentials had the audacity to blame PIA pilots of having fake degrees, which sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. Knowing the repercussions of his statement, the minister deliberately ruined the image of PIA across the globe.

One of the unelected carpet-beggars of PTI, who is calling the shots under the shadow of Prime Minister, is quite keen to strike a deal with US President Donald Trump to sell off Hotel Roosevelt. If we go back to the year 1989, Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had gone to the US on her official visit and Donald Trump, who was a businessman at that time, had met her and showed his interest in buying Hotel Roosevelt. He was declined probably because Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto knew the worth of Hotel Roosevelt.

Even the memes going around on social media that PIA is travelling from Orangi to Korangi got laughter on a few faces but the message was quite brutal and saddening at the same time. As the PIA is not just an airline, it is the national pride of Pakistan and its people. Something we all cherish. When PIA flies high, our heads turn high in pride. Pakistan has to protect not only PIA and Hotel Roosevelt but all her Koh-i-Noors from today’s East India Company, PTI. So all the Lord Clives and Mir Jaffers beware! There is a Bilawal Bhutto to save Pakistan and all its assets.

The writer is a freelancer