PIA strike: Flight operations likely to be restored today after five days
ASF has revoked entry passes of the employees at all airports in the country
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Flight operations are likely to be restored today after five days of strike that grounded flights across the country, Dunya News reported Saturday.
The meeting scheduled between Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the government side is likely to get a breakthrough in the issue.
Privatization commission’s Chairman Muhammad Zubair and JAC Chairman Captain Sohail Baloch had conversed on a phone call on February 5. However, the two will continue the dialogue today in the afternoon.
Earlier today it was reported that agreement with private airlines could not relieve people who are suffering at hands of strike by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees.
Sources have said that government authorities have reversed directives to have cockpit and cabin crew checked out from hotel. Earlier, General Manager (GM) flight services had issued directives to the cabin crew members to leave the hotel.
Another 30 international and domestic flights were cancelled today due to the ongoing strike. Dozens of flights are cancelled everyday extending losses of the national airline above billions of Rupees.
No private airline has accommodated abandoned PIA customers who have confirmed tickets of the protesting airline. Ittehad, Shaheen and AirBlue airlines have refused to give alternative tickets to PIA customers.
However, Pakistan International Airline has recommended its deserted customers to refund their tickets .
Reportedly, employees used to come to their work places, mark attendance and leave for protest. Airport Security Force (ASF) has revoked entry passes of the employees at all airports in the country.
For five consecutive days, PIA employees have apparently boycotted work against government’s decision to privatize the company. The protesters are not willing for privatization of the company.
However, the government has assured International Monetary Fund (IMF) of privatizing Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Steel Mills and another company under economic reform programme.
Sources said that IMF representatives, during meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Dubai did not like the delay in the matter.
Owing to the pressure and protests, the government had delayed privatization of the national airline by six months however, the plan is to get done with the process within 2016.
On February 2, two workers of the protesting company were killed as they rallied towards Jinnah terminal in Karachi despite counter measures by the law enforcement agencies.
Ranger and Sindh Police personnel were deployed at the protesting site to contain the mob and deter their movement. The security personnel baton charged and used water cannon to disperse the protesters.
Allegedly an unidentified man opened fire during the march injuring two persons who succumbed to wounds later while under treatment in a local hospital.
Law enforcement agencies stated that security personnel were not ordered to resort to firing and they did not. Rangers released a footage of the culprit who allegedly opened fire. The paramilitary force has requested the people to help identify the miscreant.
The incident apparently gave opposition parties another reason to lash out at the government. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced solidarity with the protesters and vowed to launch protest in this regard.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly (NA) Khursheed Shah criticised the government for torturing the people who reserve the right to protest.
