Former minister's irresponsible statement caused Rs70 billion loss to PIA: Kh Saad Rafique

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that the irresponsible statement of former Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar caused a loss of Rs70 billion to the Pakistan International Airlines.

Expressing his views on the flood of the National Assembly on Friday, he announced to outsource the Islamabad airport for 15 years. "However, no employee will be made jobless. Outsourcing does not mean that the airport is being sold out," he clarified.

The minister said that the Lahore and Karachi airports will be outsourced.

"It is time to make true and right decisions. Currently, the PIA is facing a deficit of Rs80 billion. The deficit will increase to Rs259 billion in 2030 if the situation remains unchanged. Can Pakistan afford this deficit?," he added.