He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership for what he called a “historic milestone” and announced that the airline would soon be offered to private bidders as a fully functional and valuable asset.
Earlier today, United Kingdom removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for flight operations to the country.
“We are completing all essential processes first to increase the airline’s market value,” he said, adding that the government had closely followed the guidance of aviation regulators to ease future approvals.
Asif confirmed that once privatised, PIA would be equipped with new aircraft and given fresh international routes.
“Overseas Pakistanis will be able to travel home more easily,” he said. “Both time and cost of travel will be reduced.”
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally monitored the revival process and received regular updates.
“Many friends and colleagues worked hard to make this possible,’ defence minister said. “Today marks a historic and memorable day.”
Read: UK removes Pakistan from air safety list
The minister noted that PIA once transported deceased Pakistanis’ bodies free of charge, a service now lost. “Now families have to spend thousands of dollars,” he said. “It was a shock for the Pakistani diaspora. Many have now purchased burial plots abroad.”
Asif placed blame for PIA’s decline on the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. “A ban was imposed on us during their tenure,” he said. “Ghulam Sarwar criticised his own department and effectively invited international bodies to impose a ban on Pakistan’s airline.”
“To this day, he has not offered any explanation for his remarks,” Asif said. “Imran Khan is also responsible for this outcome.”
He said the ban caused financial losses worth billions of rupees, but more damaging was the blow to national dignity. “Our trained staff had helped establish other airlines in the region,” he noted. “One individual erased all of that hard-earned reputation. What was his reason? That remains a troubling question.”
Asif said the issue was now being resolved and confirmed that Airblue had also been granted permission to operate internationally. He praised the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), saying the European Union had regained confidence in the body.
He also lauded Khawaja Saad Rafique for his contributions to aviation reform over the past two to three years. “Today, we stand vindicated,” he concluded.