An ex-minister gave irresponsible statement about PIA: Dar

LONDON: Deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that the statement of a former federal minister about PIA was very irresponsible that caused huge damaged to the international operation of the national flag carrier.

Mr Dar stated this while holding a press conference in London today, where he has arrived on an official visit. He said that he had held positive and productive talks with the authorities in Britain including the British deputy prime minister.

The talks also included restoration of PIA flights to the UK. All steps were being taken for the restoration of the PIA flights to European Union countries. But he said that the privatization of the PIA was also a major task and the government was working on it. Mr Dar said efforts were also underway to promote the aviation sector and for this purpose the outsourcing of the Islamabad International Airport was at a final stage.

The deputy prime minister also said that the PML-N government was working to provide more and more facilities to the overseas Pakistanis. He said giving representation to the overseas Pakistanis was also on the agenda of the incumbent government.

Mr Dar also spoke about the economic situation in Pakistan and said the economy was now back on track. He claimed that during the PDM government the IMF had wanted Pakistan to default.