*ISLAMABAD – The government has saved the national airline from crashlanding with a Rs17.2 billion bailout package.*

The decision was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee on Monday.Finance Minister Asad Umar chaired the meeting.

On October 18, Aviation Secretary Mohammad Saqib Aziz said that PIA hasbeen suffering operational losses worth Rs2 billion every month. Theselosses are in addition to other liabilities, such as bank loans. He saidthat the loss was a result of the increase in fuel prices, rupeedepreciation and overstaffing.

Moreover, the committee has agreed to provide additional gas to SuiSouthern and Northern companies.