GILGIT: A protest demonstration was held in Skardu on Sunday against high fares of PIA flights to Islamabad.

The protesters said the recent reduction in airfare from Islamabad to Skardu and Gilgit provided no relief to people as the fare on the flights to Islamabad was still high.

A large number of activists of civil society and political parties gathered at the Chowk Yadgar and blasted the PIA management for not facilitating the people of GB.

While a passenger travelling from Islamabad to Skardu and Gilgit pays Rs6,915 airfare, those going to Islamabad from the two destinations are made to pay from Rs10,000 to Rs17,000, claimed a protester.

Earlier, PIA had announced a 30 per cent cut in domestic fares on all but Gilgit and Skardu routes. However, after protest by the GB government, the national carrier announced only one-way reduction in fares.

The protesters said as a large number of GB people travelled to Islamabad in winter to reach other areas of the country they should be facilitated by reducing airfare on flights from Gilgit and Skardu to Islamabad.

Najaf Ali, a participant of the protest, said PIA was already charging high airfares from GB people travelling to Islamabad compared to other cities.

Major roads in Skardu remained blocked for hours during the course of the protest.

The protesters demanded operation of special C-130 flights from GB to Islamabad at concessional rates to facilitate the people, especially patients and students. The protesters warned if their demands were not met they would lock the PIA office in Skardu.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Missing justice
Updated 15 Jan, 2025

Missing justice

SC must at least ensure missing persons cases are heard with the urgency they deserve.
Racist talk
15 Jan, 2025

Racist talk

WHEN racist tropes are amplified by the expansive reach of social media, the affected communities face real-world...
Faceless customs
15 Jan, 2025

Faceless customs

THE launch of the faceless customs assessment system as part of the government’s Tax Transformation Plan is a...
Left behind
Updated 14 Jan, 2025

Left behind

Pakistan’s education statistics threaten to leave us behind in the global knowledge economy.
Mining tragedies
14 Jan, 2025

Mining tragedies

TWO recent deadly mining tragedies in Balochistan have once again exposed the hazardous nature of work in this...
Winter sports
14 Jan, 2025

Winter sports

FOR a country with huge winter sports potential, events in Pakistan are few and far between. Therefore, the start of...