The Sindh High Court has instructed the attorney representing the petitioner to draft and present a petition challenging the potential privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The petition concerning the potential privatization of PIA was reviewed by a two-judge panel led by Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi.
Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed remarked on the trend of privatization occurring when institutions are not effectively managed. He expressed concern that someday even the country might be privatized if this trend continues. He questioned the rationale behind privatizing institutions, especially those deemed essential, citing the need for subsidies as evidence of their importance.
Zafar Ahmad Timuri, the petitioner’s lawyer, emphasized the case’s significance in terms of public interest and requested a formal notice to be issued, prompting a response from the government.
Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi stressed the importance of identifying which laws, if any, were being violated before proceeding with the case.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the Privatization Act of 2016 was amended in 2023 and warned against the potential loss of thousands of jobs if PIA were to be privatized.
In response, Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi acknowledged the complexity of the case and urged the petitioner’s counsel to come fully prepared, indicating that the court would not issue notices without sufficient grounds. The court directed the petitioner’s counsel to prepare thoroughly before appearing again.