After blocking FBR overhaul, ECP bars PIA privatisation

After practically blocking the restructuring of FBR, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has also asked the government to “refrain from taking any further steps including signing of an agreement”, about the privatisation of PIA or its entities till its formal clearance. In a letter to the cabinet secretary less than a week ahead of general elections, the ECP reminded the federal government of Article 230 of the Constitution, which explains the roles and limitations of the caretaker government and sought all relevant cabinet documentation, according to sources said. Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal had earlier taken up the issue of “privatisation of government entities (including PIA) by the caretaker government” for clearance. The election commission has “directed that the caretaker government should refrain from taking any further steps including signing of an agreement in this regard, till a decision is made by this Commission under Section 230” of the constitution.