ISLAMABAD: Although Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has announced a reduction in fare for its flights to Gilgit Baltistan (GB), residents of the area have expressed dismay over the impact of the cut on one way only.
People from the country’s northern region usually travel South to avoid harsh weather conditions in the winter, and were expecting to see a difference in fares on flights on both sides.
As per details, tickets at Rs6,915 are only available for flights from Islamabad to Skardu and Gilgit while passengers travelling from Gilgit and Skardu to Islamabad are still forced to pay Rs10,000 to Rs17,000.
On Friday, sharing the details on its Twitter feed, the national flag carrier had announced that it would now be charging a minimum one-way fare of Rs6,915 from passengers travelling from Islamabad to the popular tourist areas of the country’s northern region.
Using social media, residents and youth of the area expressed their anger, saying that “PIA is making a fool of the public as unusual”, adding that “The reduction in fare should have been in tickets of from Gilgit and Skardu to Islamabad As in winter people hardly visit GB.”
Meanwhile, citizens of GB have announced a protest rally in Skardu on Sunday from Yadgar Chaok to the PIA office.
According to Civil Society Baltistan’s active member, Najaf Ali, they would protest against the unjustified fare of PIA for residents of GB as compared to passengers’ domestic flights.
However, when contacted, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez said that the minimum fare was applied on both sides of flights.
It is pertinent to mention that the announcement came after Gilgit Baltistan Governor Jalal Hussain Maqpoon on December 10 wrote a letter to the PIA CEO to lower fares of the airline’s flights in order to promote tourism in the region.
Although the distance from Islamabad to these two destinations was shorter compared to other domestic routes of PIA, the fare for this region remains comparatively higher.
Fare was reduced out of own government pocket to promote tourism. I hope gb people can understand this .
We cant understand the duality of PIA.we are still paying higher fares.
The government doesn’t blessings us.Its our right.the government is not reducing the fares,it’s just play games with innocent public.If at one side government is reducing the fares but at the other side is economy is going up just because of tourism industry.How much the government is taking advantage from the resources of Pakistan and in return it gives nothing.GB is the aorta of CPEC because it’s connects the two countries.this most major project going to be done through GB.This project will boost the country’s economy.& We don’t need your opinions.So,keep it with yourself.
Agree
Oye tu kis park me paida hoa ha chutiya gb walo ka haq he ye
Demand & supply rule apply if tickets are being bought even at 17k why would PIA lower the fares
We pay because we have to, otherwise we have to use the karakuram highway which is very dangerous in this season. Mostly people who are ill and have to visit ISLAMABAD for their treatment have no choice other than paying that much for a flight.
Their protest is valid. If relief is really intended to be given to the residents of GB being a remote area, then this concession/ rebate should be round the year & both ways.
In this article, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez has clarified that minimum fare is applicable for both sides, so now there should not be any controversy
No we are not seeing any application of minimum fares in GB.
Just fooled the Governor by PIA.
Yesterday when I read the the reduction of fare by PIA I called their call center to inquire , they told the fare from ISb. To GLT is 12000/-
Or skardu sa Islamabad 1800 ha.. 6000 ma kon skardu aya ga is sardii. Asal ma Islamabad sa skardu ata waqt jahas kali ata ha.. Agar pia wala Islamabad sa skardu walA free bi lakar awa to ku nhi ay ga… Is lia islamabad sa skardu sasta kia ha… Or skardu sa Islamabad jana ka lia rach bohat ha….pia chahiya ka skardu sa Islamabad sas ta kar..