LAHORE( WNAM REPORT): Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of Investment & Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has said that Pakistan International Airlines is a national asset of all of us which can be made profitable even today with better policies and proper investment. He added that we can’t sell it at any or low price while if the Government of KPK, Punjab or any other province intends to participate in the privatization of PIA, we will welcome. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan while holding a Press Conference said that the structure of privatization of PIA had already started before his of his taking charge of the Ministry and he had no authority to change that framework which was already been finalized. Abdul Aleem Khan said that his job is to sell PIA and nothing else but the nation knows very well that every Government contributed indiscriminately to bring PIA to this stage. He affirmed that as the Federal Minister of Privatization he is bound by the laws and regulations under which to carry forward the process of privatization and we will definitely privatize PIA and do it in a better way. Abdul Aleem Khan said that as far as my Ministries are concerned is related that I have increased the revenue of 50 billion rupees in NHA as Minister Communications which is a record by any Government Institution and for the first time in the history of Pakistan it is going to happen. Federal Minister claimed that for this achievement of worth Rs. 50 billion he neither ran any publicity campaign, gave advertisements nor wrote articles as it was my national duty to work for the betterment of this beloved motherland to save the money of the poor people. Abdul Aleem Khan said that with regard to privatization of PIA, in media such people are also criticizing and giving advice who themselves remained Federal Minister for the same department. He said that he as a Federal Minister abolished 3500 posts in Pakistan Post Department which saved a burden of 2.8 billion rupees on the national treasury, although the jobs are for any political leader is the basic need but I gave priority to national interest over my politics.
Responding to the questions of the media, Abdul Aleem Khan said that it is a pity that such people who are spoiling the situation and questioning today even though every Government without discrimination has contributed to bring this PIA to this point. He said that responsibility as Minister is trust of the masses and I am accountable to Allah Almighty and this nation. He clarified that as Federal Minister he did not receive a single rupee from the Government till date in the form of salary, TA/DA or any other benefit including official vehicle and staff. Moreover, on visits to Kuwait, Russia, China and other countries he bore all expense from his own pocket. As far as the privatization of PIA is concerned, I was on an official visit with the Minister of Privatization of Saudi Arabia on that day as well and was in the meeting at the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh. While before that I also attended the meeting of Privatization Commission Board and CCOP, Abdul Aleem Khan added. He said that we have more options regarding the privatization of PIA, the Government can also take out the remaining 200 billion rupees liabilities of this Institution and give a “Clean PIA”. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that PIA’s privatization process was transparent and everything happened in front of media cameras and was shown live. Instead of crying over the past or going into blame game we have to move forward and do better for this country. Replying another question, Abdul Aleem Khan said that currently apart from PIA, the privatization of 9 DISCOs is in the pipeline. As far as investment is concerned, the number of MOUs with Saudi Arabia alone has reached 34 and investment of 2.8 billion rupees has already been surfaced through which work has already been started and investors are coming from Russia and China. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that as far his departments are concerned; the annual revenue in the Communication Sector will reach 500 billion in the next 5 years which would be a historic step. Like other countries, NHA must go outside Pakistan and get tenders as international firm to express its skills. In response to another question, Abdul Aleem Khan said that strict policies have been introduced in NHA, there is no compromise on axle load, the safety of Motorways and National Highways is our first responsibility. He said that PIA must be privatized and we will try to do it better than before. More improvements can be made in this regard but speculations, comments and accusations should be avoided, he added. Abdul Aleem Khan pointed out that still PIA has potential, 24 crore people have only one Airline from which they can go to Europe and America through direct flights and the Institution can be improved ultimately.
