LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad has chided the federal government for what he called “imposition of martial law” through the implementation of Essential Services Act (ESA) in the PIA.

“If the ESA declares the PIA so important and necessary for the country and defense, why it is being sold off,” Mr Manzoor questioned in a statement here on Saturday.

He said the PPP condemned the implementation of this controversial Act and demanded its immediate repeal.

“The implementation of this act amounts to violating the basic human rights and the democratic rights of workers,” he said and added this was not privatisation but “self-purchasing of the PIA”.

The PPP leader said: “We oppose every form of privatisation and will not only condemn every attempt but also resist it.”

He noted that the silence of the three-member committee of the PPP in this regard was also questionable. This act was enforced after the formation of this committee, and it should provide clarification and immediately reject the enforcement of the Act, he demanded.

The PPP CEC member emphasised that it was the responsibility of his party to reject this bill in parliament and not allow it to pass.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2024