Chairman PIA Nasir Jaffar's resignation accepted
Nasir Jaffar had announced his resignation in 'Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath' show.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has accepted Chairman Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Nasir Jaffar’s resignation today (Thursday), Dunya News reported.
A spokesperson of the Prime Minister House said the Chairman of the national flag carrier tendered his resignation following the nationwide strike by its workers, against the proposed privatization of the airline.
Nasir Jaffar had earlier announced his resignation on Dunya News program ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath’ after killing of two protesting PIA employees during clash with the law enforcement personnel in Karachi.
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During anti-privtisation protest on Tuesday, at least two PIA workers were killed and several others were wounded in clash with Rangers and police outside the Jinnah International Airport.
Both Rangers and police deny opening fire at the protestors.
ALSO READ: Law enforcers use water cannon, baton charge PIA employees in Karachi, two killed
Talking to media, Nasir said: “I have sent my resignation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”
The outgoing PIA Chairman also urged workers to quit their protest and hold talks with the government in order to end this issue.
“PIA is already suffering from huge losses. This protest will cause more damage which will not be beneficial for employees and the government,” he added.
READ: PIA flights grounded on third day, protesters stand ground
After approval of Jaffar’s resignation, Secretary Aviation Irfan Elahi has been given additional charge of the PIA chairman.
On the other hand, Minister of State for Privatization Muhammad Zubair has invited PIA employees to sit across the table to discuss ways and means for revival of the national airliner.
Addressing a news conference along with PML (N) leaders Danyal Aziz and Talal Chaudhry in Islamabad on Wednesday afternoon, the Minister of State said the Prime Minister himself had given an assurance that no employee would lose job.
He said the process of privatization is totally transparent and there are a number of checks to ensure its transparency.
He said the opposition parties were offered to sit with the Privatization Commission during entire process.
Muhammad Zubair said 27 entities were privatized during tenure of PPP in 1993-96 and during its tenure from 2008-13 a senior leader Syed Naveed Qamar was assigned the portfolio of privatization.
He said it is also clearly mentioned in the manifesto of PTI to privatize loss making entities including PIA.
Talal Chaudhry said the opposition parties are trying to blame the Federal Government over what happened in Karachi yesterday.
He said the incident took place on a road of Karachi and it was responsibility of the provincial government to maintain law and order.
He said the Sindh Government should take the nation into confidence whether it was a conspiracy or its administrative failure.
