Privatization termed a failed decision; employees’ future and national dignity ignored, says KP CM’s Special Assistant
Staff Reporter
Peshawar: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Information and Public Relations, Shafee Jan, strongly criticized the federal government’s privatization policy, stating that the federal government has auctioned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a symbol of national identity and prestige. He said such a move cannot be termed a successful decision under any circumstances.
He maintained that decisions of this nature are taken only by political parties that neither understand public sentiments nor have come into power through a genuine public mandate. Shafee Jan said that the primary reasons behind the downfall of PIA were political interference, nepotism, and corruption by the same parties that have been ruling at the center without a mandate, which turned a once-profitable national institution into a loss-making entity and has now sold it at a throwaway price.
He further stated that during the privatization process, neither national dignity was considered nor the future of thousands of PIA employees was taken into account. He added that after a financial bid of Rs 135 billion, the government would be left with only a 7.5 percent share, which clearly reflects the incompetence of the federal government.
Shafee Jan said the federal government has neither a clear vision nor a public mandate for economic development, due to which neither foreign investment is coming in nor is the national economy progressing. He said that the absence of sound decision-making and a clear economic policy has pushed the country into severe economic instability.
He added that due to corruption and nepotism, national institutions such as Utility Stores have also been ruined, while the incompetence of the “fake federal government” has caused the public to sink deeper into the quagmire of inflation with each passing day. He stressed that foreign investment is essential for economic stability, but investors are reluctant due to the federal government’s flawed policies.
Speaking about the street movement launched on the instructions of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan, Shafee Jan said that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi initiated the movement immediately after receiving Imran Khan’s message. He said party workers, Insaf Students Federation, and other party wings are being mobilized in this regard.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is the only political party whose popularity is being acknowledged at the global level. He added that the street movement for the release of Imran Khan and other leaders and workers is their constitutional, legal, and democratic right. He said PTI is a democratic political party and firmly believes in the supremacy of democracy.
