Pervaiz Rashid criticizes PPP, PTI for supporting PIA protesters

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minster for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Wednesday targeted three opponents simultaneously over the issue of protests against likely privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) saying three people were killed by those who wanted to turn a failed protest into a successful one.

Speaking to media representatives here, he said Pakistan Tehereek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan wanted to reinvigorate his dharna (sit-in) politics in the guise of PIA protests. However, he added that the government will foil his efforts of creating chaos in the country once again.

Flight operations of the national flag carrier remained completely suspended today, with over 100 flights cancelled in the last 24 hours and all PIA offices shut as employees gathered outside the Karachi head office to protest against the government’s bid to privatise the national airline.

Chairman PIA Nasser Jaffer had also resigned Tuesday evening after two employees were killed and the third injured succumbed to his wounds when law enforcers and employees protesting against the privatisation of the national airline came face-to-face in Karachi.

Criticizing Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, Rashid said the recently invoked Essential Services Act was twice introduced in the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) tenure.

“If Khursheed Shah did not oppose the essential service act during their rule then why is he criticizing it now?” the minister questioned, adding that the decision to privatize PIA was taken in the PPP tenure also.