Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was established in 1946 as Orient Airways by the government. It was later nationalised in 1955 and rebranded as PIA. Over the years, PIA grew to become one of the major airlines in Asia, known for its hospitality, reliability and innovation. It played a significant role in the development of the aviation industry in Pakistan and even helped establish other airlines in the region. Then, the sustained decline began in the mid-1970s due to politicisation, corruption and mismanagement, a trend that worsened over the following decades.
The sale of PIA represents a turning point in the airline’s history, sparking debates about the future of aviation in Pakistan. It is imperative that we do not shy away from holding accountable those individuals whose decisions and actions led to the decline of the airline. The people have a right to know how a national asset was brought to its knees. A clear, official identification of those responsible, across political administrations, managements and boards, is essential to restore trust in public institutions.
Air Cdr (r) M Khalid Kamal
Islamabad
