Adeel Malik
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has banned in-flight entertainment for pilgrims travelling to Jeddah and Madina and will only play Quranic verses and naats for them, an official of the national carrier said on Thursday.
The decision was taken “in light of peoples’ sentiments,” PIA spokesman Mashhood Tajawar told PTI.
Cash-strapped PIA has been running into huge financial losses. Its current liabilities stand at Rs 431 billion.
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For years, the airline with 18,000-plus employees and a fleet of 32 airplanes has only been adding billions to its loss sheets.
“The decision to play Quranic verses and naats (recitation of poetry praising the Prophet) during taxing and landing for flights to Jeddah and Madina has been taken in light of people’s sentiments,” Tajawar said.
No other music will be available in the in-flight entertainment system, he said, adding that the impression that the PIA has banned music on all routes is incorrect.
“This is only for Jeddah and Madina as the people go there on holy journey. Therefore playing music/songs on these routes is not appropriate,” Tajwar said.
He added that passengers of other flights will have access to the in-flight entertainment system available on the aircraft.
For devout Muslims, they would pray that this move spreads to all flights and in return the airline will receive Allah’s blessings. Listen to verses of the Quran being recited beautifully below, how can you now fall in love with this.
