PM Orders Probe Into PIA’s Controversial Social Media Post After Backlash

PM Orders Probe Into PIA’s Controversial Social Media Post After Backlash

Islamabad—Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into a widely criticized social media post by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) celebrating the resumption of flights to Europe after a four-year hiatus.

The controversy arose after PIA’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter) shared an image of an airplane heading toward the Eiffel Tower, accompanied by the French flag in the background. The caption read, “Paris, we are coming today.”

The post quickly drew sharp criticism online due to its perceived resemblance to imagery associated with the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. On September 11, 2001, hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addressed the matter during a session in the upper house of parliament, quoting the prime minister’s directive. “The prime minister has directed [authorities] to investigate who conceived this ad. It is a stupidity,” Dar remarked.

Dar also expressed concerns over the caption used in the post, describing the incident as a significant lapse in judgment.

The inquiry aims to determine responsibility for the controversial post, as the government and PIA face criticism for what many consider a highly insensitive misstep. The resumption of flights to Europe had been a significant milestone for the national flag carrier, but the controversy has overshadowed the achievement.