KARACHI: The bidding process for Pakistan’s national airline will open on Thursday, with just one participant in the first major privatization in over a decade.
The cash-strapped country is looking to offload a 51-100 percent stake in debt-ridden Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to raise funds and reform bleeding state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
The Privatization Ministry said that the process would begin at 1:30 p.m. (0830 GMT) and bids will be opened at 6:30 p.m. in Islamabad.
The government had pre-qualified six groups in June, but only one — real estate development company Blue World City — met a Tuesday deadline to submit final documents to participate in the process.
Officials from three groups that chose not to bid told Reuters on condition of anonymity that there were concerns about the government’s ability to stand by agreements made for the flag carrier in the long term.
One executive voiced concern about policy continuity once a new government came in. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has relied on a coalition of disparate political parties.
The disposal of PIA is a step former governments have steered away from as it has been highly unpopular given the number of layoffs that would likely result from it.
Underpinning these concerns over policy continuity and honoring contracts was the government’s termination of power purchase contracts with five private companies earlier this month, as well as the process of re-negotiating other sovereign guaranteed pacts.
Changes in Pakistan’s decade-old agreements with private Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects, largely financed by foreign lenders, to address chronic power shortages, “raises the risk of investing as well as doing business in Pakistan, even in the presence of sovereign contracts as well as guarantees,” said Sakib Sherani, an economist who heads private firm Macro Economic Insights.
Other concerns raised by potential bidders included inconsistent government communication, unattractive terms and taxes on the sector, in addition to PIA’s legacy issues and reputation.
Pakistan to hold final bidding for national airline with shortlist of one
https://arab.news/gc3my
Pakistan to hold final bidding for national airline with shortlist of one
- Groups choosing not to bid raise concerns about government’s ability to meet commitments in long term
- Pakistan previously stayed away from disposing of PIA since it is likely to involve a large number of layoffs
160 Pakistani MPs urge PM to lobby Washington against ‘political propaganda’ by Imran Khan’s party
- Over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives have written to Biden asking him to secure Khan’s release from jail
- In letter to PM Sharif, ruling coalition MPs call on government to engage with US to counter the “unwarranted and inaccurate” commentary
ISLAMABAD: Over 150 parliamentarians from Pakistan’s ruling coalition have urged the government to engage with the US to counter “unsubstantiated political propaganda” against the country following a letter earlier this month by over 60 US lawmakers urging President Joe Biden to secure the release from jail of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Khan, arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, was ousted from office after a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022 and has since waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the country’s powerful military and the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government, which Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party says rigged the Feb. 8 general election and formed a government with the backing of the army. Both deny the charge.
The former cricketer has been in prison since August last year in a slew of cases ranging from corruption to treason that he says are politically motivated.
Earlier this month, in a letter addressed to Biden, over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Pakistan and said elections held earlier this year saw a “historic level of irregularities.” They included “widespread electoral fraud, state-led efforts to disenfranchise voters in support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice or PTI) party, the arrest and detention of large numbers of political leaders, journalists, and activists, and the continued imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan,” the letter said.
“We urged the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to direct the diplomatic mission in Washington DC to engage the members of Pak Caucus in the US Congress as well as signatories of this letter to highlight the correct perspective on the issue and caution them from falling prey to unsubstantiated political propaganda against the Pakistani Government, its officials and elected representatives of people of Pakistan, as well as the democratic institutions of the country and independent judiciary,” said an undated letter signed by 160 parliamentarians and addressed to Sharif. The letter was shared with the media on Thursday.
The MNAs expressed concern over the “unwarranted and inaccurate” commentary on Pakistani politics by American lawmakers, saying it reflected a “skewed view of realities” and exaggerated the “baseless” political narrative of ex-PM Khan’s PTI party. They said the US lawmakers’ letter was “tantamount to external interference” in the South Asian country’s internal matters and alleged the disinformation was spread by the PTI party as part of a campaign to “discredit the credible political process” in Pakistan and undermine its democratic institutions.
US Representative Greg Casar, who led the letter initiative, has said it marked the first such collective call from multiple members of the US Congress for the release of Khan, who otherwise has had testy relations with Washington as a long standing critic of US foreign policy.
Washington has said the February vote could not be characterized as free and fair. Britain, the European Union and the United Nations have also raised concerns.
Khan did not run since he was in jail, but candidates he backed secured the highest number of seats though his rivals formed a weak coalition government.
A UN human rights working group said in July Khan’s detention violated international law.
Pakistan moves Boeing aircraft by road in unprecedented Karachi-Hyderabad journey
- Decommissioned plane, previously stationed in Karachi, will be used for training purposes
- Transporting it on a 40-wheel trailer required dismantling its wings, engines and wheels
KARACHI: A private company in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province is moving a decommissioned Boeing 737 between cities via a major highway, with news channels widely reporting the development on Thursday.
The grounded 350-seat aircraft, previously stationed at Karachi Airport, is being shifted to Hyderabad for training purposes.
Transporting the plane on a 40-wheel trailer required dismantling its wings, engines and wheels to enable safe intercity travel on the M-9 Motorway.
Although Hyderabad is typically over two hours from Karachi at normal speeds, the journey is expected to take longer due to the aircraft’s cautious travel speed.
“The aircraft has crossed Karachi Toll Plaza and is now traveling from the M-9 Motorway toward Hyderabad,” a brief statement shared among media groups said, as local channels broadcast visuals of the plane mounted on the trailer.
“It will be driven at a speed of 20 to 30 kilometers an hour,” the statement added.
Pakistan’s Geo TV quoted the Motorway Police as saying that the highway between the two cities will not be blocked during the transfer.
The vehicle carrying the aircraft has been instructed to drive on one side of the road, escorted by Civil Aviation Authority staff and security.
“The plane is being moved as per protocol,” the channel reported.
Pakistan imposes ‘green lockdown’ in Lahore smog hotspots as pollution hits hazardous levels
- Lockdown will restrict pollution-heavy activities, such as outdoor cooking, in designated areas
- Authorities plan a ‘wall of trees’ around the city to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab provincial administration announced Wednesday it will impose “green lockdowns” in Lahore’s smog hotspots as the city faces dangerously high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, prompting strict measures to protect residents’ health and reduce escalating pollution levels.
The provincial authorities have already implemented several measures to combat Lahore’s hazardous smog, including a mandatory mask policy citywide and a temporary suspension of all outdoor school activities. Additionally, a ban on fireworks will remain in place until January 31, 2025.
The green lockdown will strengthen these efforts by restricting pollution-heavy activities such as outdoor cooking at barbecue spots and banning smoke-emitting public transport from operating in the city’s most affected areas
“There are eleven hotspots where AQI levels have been calculated, with Shimla Pahari currently identified as a key hotspot,” senior Punjab provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb told the province’s legislative assembly while listing down measures taken by the government to deal with the issue.
“Around this area, we’re mapping a green ring to enforce a green lockdown,” she added. “However, it doesn’t mean we are closing Shimla Pahari itself. Instead, we are halting construction activities within a one-kilometer radius from today and redirecting three-wheeler rickshaws away from this hotspot.”
She also noted that the government planned a “wall of trees” around the city to control carbon emissions and improve the air quality.
Lahore’s winter smog has become an annual crisis, with air quality deteriorating to hazardous levels each season. The city consistently ranks among the world’s worst for air pollution, leading to a significant rise in respiratory issues and hospital admissions, especially affecting children and the elderly.
Last year, the severe pollution levels prompted a surge in cases of asthma, lung infections and other respiratory problems among residents, according to media reports.
The problem prompted Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif this week to propose cross-border cooperation with Indian authorities to tackle shared pollution sources, such as crop residue burning, which exacerbates the region’s smog problem.
Pakistan says remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, Palestine
- Pakistan has dispatched 17 relief consignments to Lebanon and Gaza since October last year
- Over 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in over twelve months of war
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it remained committed to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and Lebanon, as dozens were killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley this week.
Israel has carried out thousands of air strikes across Lebanon over the past five weeks, targeting what it says are Hezbollah’s operatives, infrastructure and weapons. It also launched an air and ground offensive in Gaza in October last year, killing over 42,000 Palestinians since.
Pakistan has so far dispatched 17 relief consignments for Gaza and Lebanon, including winterized tents, food items and hygiene kits. Pakistan has also set up a special account, “Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon,” under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directions, for donations for the people of Gaza and Lebanon.
“Pakistan remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Lebanon and Palestine,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a weekly press briefing.
“Last week, Pakistan sent two more planeloads of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Thus far four special cargo planes with essential humanitarian supplies have arrived in Lebanon from Pakistan. Our support will continue.”
Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s call for an “immediate secession of hostilities” as well as the protection of civilians and “unrestricted humanitarian access” to those in urgent need.
Baloch urged the world community to intervene to end Israeli’s “genocidal” campaign against Gazans and hold it responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz represents country at Qatar championship
- Ayaz, born in 2011 in Swat valley, started practicing martial arts at the age of 3 and made her international debut at 8
- Around 1,440 players from 40 countries are competing in the event across four categories: cadet, juniors, youth and adults
ISLAMABAD: The Qatar International Open Taekwondo Championship will begin today, Thursday, with Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz representing her country, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
Around 1,440 players from 40 countries are competing in the event across four categories: cadet, juniors, youth and adults. The tournament, featuring morning and evening sessions, will run through Saturday with daily awards for winners.
“The fourth Qatar International Taekwondo Championship will be held today at Lusail Hall,” Radio Pakistan reported. “Pakistan’s youngest Taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz will represent the country in this prestigious event.”
Ayaz, born in 2011 in the northwestern Swat valley, started practicing taekwondo at the age of 3 and made her international debut at 8. She is also the youngest national champion.
Ayaz’s father is the coach of Pakistan’s national taekwondo team while her mother is a double national champion. Her father also runs a martial arts training academy in Swat. She has two brothers, both of whom are taekwondo practitioners.
Ayaz was the youngest competitor to win a bronze medal for Pakistan in the 27 kg category at the Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai in 2019. In Feb. 2020, the talented young athlete earned a gold medal in the 34 kg category at the 8th Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai. She has also secured the title of district champion five times and been crowned a provincial champion twice.
