PIA privatisation: Unions say booking offices to remain closed till Feb 2

Published January 25, 2016
The employees' committee demands immediate withdrawal of the bill aiming to convert PIA into a public limited company.─ PIA Facebook page
The employees' committee demands immediate withdrawal of the bill aiming to convert PIA into a public limited company.─ PIA Facebook page

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) unions on Monday announced all offices of the national carrier will remain closed from tomorrow (Tuesday) till February 2 in protest against the planned privatisation of the airline.

The employee unions also threatened to halt flight operations from February 2 if the government does not give in to their demands, foremost amongst which is scrapping of the plan to privatise the national airline.

Captain Sohail Baloch, convener of the PIA employees committee, told reporters that a four-point agenda had been presented to the government by the body. Failure on part of the government to fulfil these demands, he said, will result in suspension of flight operations.

Their demands include:

  • Government shall immediately take back the bill passed on January 21 converting the national flag carrier into a public limited company.

  • PIA's employees be provided a chance to reform the airline. If the employees fail to do so, the government will have the freedom to do whatever it finds suitable.

  • Privatisation, in any form, whether it is in form of a strategic
    partner or selling of 36 per cent or 1 per cent of the organisation's shares, is not acceptable to the employees.

  • Government shall immediately review the aviation policy and form a
    committee for this purpose comprising members from PIA employees' JAC along with PIA experts Khursheed Anwar, Kamran Hasan and Salahuddin.

Related: PIA privatisation bill passed amid opposition uproar

On the other hand, the PIA management has requested union leaders to not close down offices as it may cause inconvenience to passengers across the country, a spokesman for the national carrier said in a statement.

He said the airline's management had requested all employees to join hands and support the management in the revival of the national flag carrier.

Privatisation

The National Assembly on January 21 witnessed the passage of six bills, including one to convert the national flag carrier into a public limited company.

Under the bill, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) will be converted into a public limited company as Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL).

PIACL will get all the assets, liabilities, duties and obligations of PIAC. Similarly, PIACL would be entitled to the benefit of all notifications, licences, permissions, sanctions, authorisations, concessions, decrees, international air service authorisations, agreements, orders and benefits issued or granted in favour of PIAC.

Also Read: The big debate: to sell or not to sell PIA?

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.