In brief
Prime Minister orders investigation after social media uproar over insensitive advertisement linked to tragic events.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has launched an inquiry following widespread criticism of a controversial advertisement by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The ad was meant to celebrate flights resuming to Paris but featured an image of a plane directed towards the Eiffel Tower, sparking outrage reminiscent of the Sept. 11 attacks. The advertisement, which included the caption “Paris, we’re coming today,” quickly drew negative attention across social media platforms, gathering over 21 million views. Many users highlighted the unsettling similarity to past tragedies involving aircraft. Ian Bremmer, a political scientist, remarked on Threads, “Pakistan air needs a new graphic designer,” while columnist Omar R. Quraishi expressed disbelief at the airline's insensitivity regarding 9/11.Pakistan has historical ties to the events of September 11, raising further sensitivity around related images. Under parliamentary scrutiny, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that the Prime Minister had demanded an investigation to uncover how the ad received internal approvals.This incident adds to the challenges faced by PIA, which is struggling financially and seeking privatization. The situation grew dire after a recent attempt to sell the airline failed, with bids falling significantly short of expectations. PIA has previously made headlines for various controversies, including safety concerns and quirky publicity stunts. Despite the backlash, the airline only resumed Paris flights after a four-year ban was lifted by the EU's aviation safety agency.
