PIA privatisation: LHC gives opportunity to authorities for reply

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday gave the chairman Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other respondents till March 20, for filing reply on a petition challenging proposed sell- out of the airline.

The single bench comprising Justice Shahid Mubeen heard the petition filed by advocate Nabeel Javed Kahloon.

Earlier, a legal advisor on behalf of the Privatisation Commission submitted a reply stating that the cabinet committee had given approval of the PIA privatisation in first phase whereas the matter was being discussed with other stakeholders in the second phase.

However, a law officer on behalf of PIA authorities and other respondents sought short time for filing the reply.

At this, the court giving an opportunity for filing the reply adjourned further hearing till March 20.

The petitioner-lawyer had argued that PIA had been established under an act of the parliament and the Privatisation Commission could not sell it without the institution's approval. He asked the court to restrain the government from selling the PIA.