Privatisation

The relevant caretaker minister recently asserted that the caretakers had the power to dispose of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in view of the legislation enacted by the last National Assembly. He also disclosed that the consultants had started examining the bids received in this regard. One fails to understand how the bids were received when they were not even invited. There has been no public advertisement in this regard. There is an urgent need to make the privatisation process transparent to ensure that PIA, or any other institution, is not handed over through shady deals designed to benefit some at the expense of the state. Right now, there is nobody in the country that may hold the government back, and ask it not to make such deals that are the prerogative of an elected government.

KH TAJAMMUL HUSSAIN

KARACHI