Cancellation of PIA flights leaves Umrah pilgrims vulnerable
The pilgrims were seen sitting on the stairs of airport in a state of confusion and chaos.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Cancellation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has left the Umrah pilgrims helpless on Karachi airport hotel.
The pilgrims were seen sitting on the stairs of airport in a state of confusion and chaos.
Uncertain situation have added to the woes of the people as they cannot determine when their wait will be over and they will reach their destination.
The luggage of many passengers was booked and now they cannot get it back.
Irked by the frenzy, Umrah pilgrims raised slogans against the government and demanded a quick solution to the matter.
On the other hand, private airlines have increased the fare causing another blow to the distressed passengers.
Also Read: Govt to use services of Saudi Airlines to transport Umrah pilgrims
PIA representative released a statement on Wednesday that PIA administration has hired four airplanes with staff from Saudi Airlines to transport Umrah pilgrims.
The statement further says that an agreement has been signed with Saudi government to transport pilgrims from February 5.
Protest staged by PIA employees is ongoing on the fourth day against privatization of the company.
Know More: PIA employees not submitting, flight operations suspended on fourth day
Another dozens of flights have been cancelled today while the national airlines have bore losses worth billions of rupees in the last three days.
Flight operations are frozen in different cities including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar whereas offices of the company are locked on the fourth consecutive day.
Pakistan is to privatize PIA, Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) in 2016 under International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economic reform package. A blueprint of the privatization that was provided to the IMF shows privatization of the debt-laden companies in 2016.
