Summary One person died and several PIA workers were injured when LEAs used force to disperse protestors.
KARACHI (Web Desk) – Mystery surrounds the killing of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) who died of gunshot wound at a hospital in Karachi when the law enforcement personnel resorted to use of force to disperse the protesting PIA workers.
Reports suggest that Inayat Raza, a PIA official, was killed in a shooting incident as PIA employees were protesting against the privatization of the national flag carrier.
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Rangers spokesperson issued a statement saying that none of their soldier opened fire during protest outside the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
DIG East also stated that the policemen were only ordered to stop and negoritate with the protestors.
Policemen didn’t open fire on the protestors, he added.
Angry PIA workers took to the streets a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for implementation of the Essential Services Act as the strike announced by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) entered eighth day.
The law enforcement personnel resorted to baton-charge and used rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas shells to stop the protestors outside Jinnah Terminal.
More than ten PIA workers were reportedly injured who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment while seven others were detained.
At least three other people, including a cameraman of a private TV channel, sustained injuries during the protest, as security officials barred journalists and media personnel covering the incident.
Media persons staged sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly to protest against the torture.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday approved the Essential Services Maintenance Act 1952 for Pakistan International Airlines for a period of six months.
The step was taken as PIA employees threatened to halt flight operations today, following the failure of talks with the government on the proposed privatisation move.
Information Minister, Pervaiz Rashid said any employee taking part in the strike will lose his job as we have arranged alternative staff and pilots to run the airline.
Meanwhile, PIA spokesman said the national flag carrier has so far suffered a loss of 750 million rupees due to the strike.
In a statement, he said the loss is accumulating with every passing day.
He said it will be difficult for PIA to pay salaries to the employees if planes do not operate.
The spokesperson urged employees to refrain from halting flight operation for the sake of the future of their family members and the airline as well.
