Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly rejected what he called “baseless propaganda” against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), stressing that the airline fully complies with both national and international aviation standards. He said that flight safety remains a top priority and that only qualified authorities like the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and global regulators have the right to oversee it. Asif clarified that unqualified individuals spreading misleading claims cannot dictate matters related to aviation safety and operations.
Highlighting the airline’s performance, Asif revealed that PIA’s average daily revenue had reached Rs600 million over the last three days. He added that this milestone was achieved through uninterrupted domestic and international flight schedules, reflecting improved management and operational stability. The minister noted that the government fully supports PIA’s ongoing revival efforts and its plans to expand flight networks to new destinations, which aim to strengthen the national carrier’s financial position.
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Asif stated that PIA continues to operate all domestic routes and major international destinations such as Toronto, Manchester, Paris, Saudi Arabia, China, and the Far East without disruption. He further announced that the airline intends to expand its services to Europe and North America soon. According to him, the government’s consistent backing has helped PIA maintain regular schedules and build passenger trust through better performance and punctuality.
Moreover, Asif accused certain elements of deliberately spreading false and malicious news to harm national interests and damage the airline’s reputation. He emphasized that such misinformation aims to sabotage PIA’s revival process, which the government has been working on diligently for the past five years. He reaffirmed that PIA’s progress is a result of sustained reforms, accountability, and improved coordination between aviation authorities and the management team.
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Meanwhile, several PIA flights were cancelled and others delayed on Sunday due to an ongoing dispute between the national carrier and its engineering staff. The disagreement arises from protests by the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP), who have raised concerns about working conditions and safety-related issues. Despite these challenges, officials remain hopeful that dialogue will help resolve the matter without disrupting PIA’s operations or affecting passenger services.