PIA employees reject six-month postponement, protest on seventh day in different cities
In Quetta, offices of the national airlines have been locked
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees have resorted to protest on the seventh day against proposed privatization, Dunya News reported Monday.
Employees have gathered outside the PIA head office and are raising slogans against the government. The employees have refused to accept the postponement of privatization for six months.
In Quetta, offices of the national airlines have been locked resulting in issues for the customers. Booking and other services including cargo and courier are shut.
Know also: PIA employees stand ground, flight operations to halt from February 2
The protesters have vowed to continue demonstrations until their demands are met. The employees have also warned to halt flight operations if the government delays the issue unnecessarily.
Demonstrator holds a placard at protest staged by PIA’s joint action committee, Lahore
Employees in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also continued protest today.
Know also: PIA employees protest on fifth day in Faisalabad, postponement to cost another Rs 21 billion
The government in the last week had announced to postpone privatization of the national airlines for six months.
Employees of the Pakistan International Airlines had launched protests in late 2015 after the government seemed willing to hand 26 percent shares of the company to non-government hands.
The government provided blueprints of privatization in 2016 that included PIA, State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) and Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to the International Monetary Fund in the second week of January.
However, sources said that the talks between IMF and government representatives did not go well in Dubai which were held regarding next installment of the economic reform programme given to Pakistan by the international organization.
Still shows Karachi employees staging sit-in protest near PIA head office
Authorities have deployed Rangers and police at PIA headquarters in Karachi
The government representatives reportedly could not sell the IMF on postponement of privatization of PIA.
It is worth mentioning that citizens will have to bear the burden of Rs 21 billion loss owing to the postponement. The total deficit of the national airlines will elevate to Rs 3.5 trillion.
The national airline is facing a loss of Rs 110 million each day.
According to a report submitted to the Public Accounts Committee, PIA could manage its operational costs, however payments of loans and interests is impossible.
PIA suffered losses of more than Rs. 159.65 billion in the past five years. In 2011 it suffered a loss of Rs 28 billion, in 2012 the losses stood at Rs 29.77 billion, in 2013 at Rs. 44.71 billion, in 2014 at Rs. 29.31 billion while in 2015 the losses were at Rs. 27.83 billion.
According to the documents, the number of employed PIA personnel stands at 14,847 which are working for 38 airplanes. 390 employees perform their duties per plane of PIA.
