Pakistan’s national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), faced backlash over an advertisement that depicted a plane heading towards the Eiffel Tower, sparking controversy and accusations of insensitivity. The ad, posted on Jan. 10 to celebrate the resumption of flights to European Union countries after a four-year ban, featured a plane superimposed over the French flag with the words 'Paris, we're coming today.'
The imagery immediately drew criticism on social media, prompting Pakistan's prime minister to call for an inquiry. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the ad as an act of 'stupidity,' further fueling public outrage.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez clarified that the ad, which garnered over 21.2 million views, was intended solely to mark the airline's return to European skies and was not meant to evoke memories of the tragic events of September 11. Hafeez expressed surprise at the negative reception but extended an apology to those who felt offended by the advertisement.
Explaining the choice of the Eiffel Tower in the ad, Hafeez emphasized its significance as one of the world's iconic landmarks. The controversy comes in the wake of restrictions imposed on PIA in 2020 following a fatal plane crash in Karachi, which claimed 97 lives. An investigation revealed that a significant number of Pakistani pilots had engaged in exam malpractice, leading to concerns about aviation safety.
The ban on PIA operations resulted in substantial financial losses, estimated at nearly $150 million annually. Pakistan's connection to the September 11 attacks was also highlighted, with the country being linked to key figures involved in the planning and execution of the tragic events. Notably, one of the masterminds behind 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, was apprehended in Pakistan in 2003, while the country was also the site of Osama bin Laden's demise in a U.S. military operation in 2011.
