Islamabad: A recent advertisement by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has sparked widespread controversy, prompting an investigation by the government. The ad, which celebrated the resumption of flight services between Islamabad and Paris, has drawn criticism for its choice of imagery, which many viewers found to be insensitive and reminiscent of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
The advertisement, posted on social media platform X, featured an image of a PIA aircraft flying towards the Eiffel Tower, with the French flag in the background. The accompanying caption read: “Paris, we’re coming today.” The use of such imagery has ignited a backlash, leading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an official inquiry into the matter.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the Prime Minister’s directive during a session in the Senate, as reported by The News International.
The controversy is particularly sensitive due to the association with the September 11, 2001 attacks, when al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center, forever altering global security dynamics. The mastermind behind the attack, Osama Bin Laden, was killed in a military operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in May 2011.
The timing of the advertisement also comes shortly after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted its ban on PIA operations within the EU. The suspension, which had been in place since June 2020, was a result of concerns over Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority’s (PCAA) compliance with international aviation standards.
The investigation into the controversial advertisement underscores the sensitivity surrounding national and international perceptions of Pakistan and its flagship airline.
