KARACHI (Pakistan News Online) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the controversial advertisement published by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) regarding the resumption of flights to Paris.
According to media reports, this was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a Senate session in response to a question during the question hour.
During the session, chaired by Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman expressed concerns over the PIA advertisement for flights to Europe, saying that it brought embarrassment. She pointed out that the advertisement depicted a plane heading directly toward the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Sherry Rehman stated, “The ad says, ‘Paris, we are coming.’ This might have been an unintentional mistake, but many analysts, especially European security experts, have raised concerns about the message conveyed by PIA.”
She further questioned, “Which advertising agency created this ad? Who is the responsible official behind it? After all the struggles and challenges faced by PIA to resume flights to Europe, why are such actions tarnishing its reputation?”
In response, Senator Ishaq Dar stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the PIA Paris flight ad, saying that “the wrong impression was conveyed with the plane depicted near the Eiffel Tower, along with the phrase ‘We Are Coming.’”
Dar further explained that the European Union’s ban on PIA flights had been lifted due to the government’s efforts, allowing PIA to resume its European routes.
Ishaq Dar also pointed out that the previous government’s aviation minister’s remarks caused billions of rupees in losses to the economy.
He said, “When this matter was discussed in a cabinet meeting, a committee was formed under my leadership. After the return of the PML-N government, we resumed work on the issue. I personally discussed this matter with the UK’s Foreign Secretary. As a result, the EU has now lifted its ban on PIA flights.”
Background
After a four-and-a-half-year ban, the lifting of restrictions on PIA flights to Europe was a significant achievement for Pakistan. However, the advertisement announcing the resumption of Paris flights sparked controversy.
PIA’s official social media accounts shared a graphic post showing the Eiffel Tower, a PIA aircraft, and France’s national flag in the background.
The advertisement was meant to share the good news of PIA resuming flights to France. However, the image quickly went viral for the wrong reasons, with people expressing concerns about its disturbing imagery.
The graphic depicted the PIA aircraft positioned directly in front of the Eiffel Tower, with the caption “Paris, We Are Coming“, giving the impression of a potential collision.
Comparison to 9/11 Attacks
The advertisement was widely criticized on social media, with many drawing comparisons to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, PIA had previously faced criticism for an old newspaper advertisement that showed an image of a plane near the Twin Towers in New York.
In the 9/11 attacks, suicide hijackers flew four American planes into key buildings in New York and Washington, including the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Due to the resemblance, social media users raised concerns about PIA’s recent ad, questioning whether it was a threat or a warning.