Rashid blames ‘mischievous elements’ for disrupting PIA operations

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday said that the ‘illegal’ strike of the employees of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) had failed and then despite the Prime Minister’s assurance they resorted to using force to stop operations.

Talking to media persons at a book exhibition at Expo Centre here, he vowed to track down those who opened fire on the PIA employees during a protest in Karachi on Tuesday.

He said despite the call for strike by some of the PIA employees, the flight operations continued without any interruption. “Some mischievous elements caused damage to the institution,” he added.

The Information Minister said the passengers’ difficulties will be alleviated with the help of private airlines.

He said if something is undertaken by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari or Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, it is seen as ‘white’ but if we make any such move it is labeled as ‘black’.

“If Imran Khan goes for privatization in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it is termed as a right move but if we do the same it becomes wrong,” he regretted.

Earlier, the Minister visited various book stalls set up as part of the book exhibition which will continue till February 8.