News Analysis l
The private air carrier, Air Blue has been given a major share of the flight operations for Hajj. Reportedly, the firm which is owned by the prime minister has been allotted the to and fro travel of 60,000 Hajj pilgrims this year. The national carrier, PIA has been given the quota to cater 30,000 people.
Sources have also alluded as to how the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is disturbing the already crippled PIA.The CAA has changed the schedule for PIA operations.The flights were always scheduled to take off at 12:30 pm which has now been changed to 7:30 pm. The change in the itinerary is causing serious problems for Hajj attendees, especially those who come from far-flung areas to see-off their relatives who are going for a sacrosanct religious duty.
Sources have also claimed that a sinister effort is being made to discredit PIA ostensibly to benefit the number two air carrier in the country, Air blue. The air crafts being leased for the hajj operations don’t have appropriate storage capacity due to which passengers get trouble finding their luggage. PIA which was once considered as one of the best air carriers in the world has seen a real slump in the past decade or so.
On Wednesday, he saw-off Nawaz Sharif for his GT Road rally. Much to the chagrin of Sharif’s opponent Abbassi had earlier said that Nawaz is the real prime minister.
The use and abuse of power
Amid the political temperature in the country, this news may seem insignificant. However, the award of increased quota to Air Blue will be linked to the company’s top man, the prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi. The preferential treatment is given to Air Blue over the national carrier PIA will reasonably be deemed as an abuse of power and authority for personal gains.
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Shahid Khaqan Abbassi was elected the premier last week after Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the apex court last week. Abbassi, an old loyalist of Nawaz Sharif has categorically batted against the disqualification. On Wednesday, he saw-off Nawaz Sharif for his GT Road rally. Much to the chagrin of Sharif’s opponent Abbassi had earlier said that Nawaz is the real prime minister.
Abbassi’s predecessor and his family have been berated for preferring their businesses over the interests of the state. Imran Khan has identified Nawaz’s alleged business interests behind his ultra-soft stance towards India.
Air Blue is Abbassi’s personal business. Such a move whether done with or without the influence of Abbassi will raise question marks. The premier, who is already under the clouds over the prohibitive LNG deal will be targeted for using his position to expand his own business over the interest of state institutions.
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Abbassi’s predecessor and his family have been berated for preferring their businesses over the interests of the state. Imran Khan has identified Nawaz’s alleged business interests behind his ultra-soft stance towards India.Khan has also been a vociferous critic of the ruling class’ ability and tendency to use public office as a means to expand their own business empire. Detractors of the N League have whipped up the rhetoric that the government has damaged state institutions.
The nomination of Abbassi for the all-important slot was seen as a reward for his unflinching loyalty to the Sharif family. Many also pointed out to the assertion that Abbassi would lend strength to his very own, Air Blue.
PIA’s demotion in the Hajj operations may eventually play into the hands of those who are doubting the newly-elected PM who himself considers himself an appendage of his predecessor.
The use of influence and power is rife in the country. As of this writing, the state machinery is being excessively for the GT Road rally of the deposed premier, Nawaz Sharif. Not only is the police providing full protocol and security, resources of the Punjab Government are being used to place banners all over Lahore to welcome the beleaguered Nawaz Sharif.
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Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed have already warned the prime minister of launching a drive against his alleged corruption. PIA’s demotion in the Hajj operations may eventually play into the hands of those who are doubting the newly-elected PM who himself considers himself an appendage of his predecessor.