Initiate dialogue with PIA protesters at once, Imran tells Nawaz

PTI chief arrives in Karachi to join workers protesting against the planned privatisation of PIA

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to immediately begin dialogue with workers protesting against the government's planned privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines.

"We are asking the premier to start talks with the protesters at once to resolve their issues, as well as end the agony of the protesters stranded at airports," said Imran, while addressing PIA employees after arriving in Karachi, Express News reported.

Protests staged against the proposed privatisation of the national carrier have led to the halting flight operations for the last four days.



"The protesters are ready to begin dialogue with the government, let's not bulldoze that gesture," the PTI chief said. "Demonstrators need to be convinced why privatisation is good for them and what effect it will have on their future."

Imran also asked the PM to explain why protesters were fired upon, saying a judicial commission should be formed to investigate the same. "We also demand Nawaz Sharif to withdraw the Essential Services Act as soon as possible."

If protesters are fired upon during a peaceful demonstration, then all citizens should stand up for them, he added.

The PTI leader said, "If people think their household and children are in danger of starvation, they have every right to stage a protest."



Talks held between the government and the protesting staff of PIA late on Friday ended in a stalemate.

According to Joint Action Committee (JAC) leader Sohail Baloch, flight operations would not resume till negotiations were successfully concluded.

The protests turned deadly on Tuesday after three protesters were killed by ‘mysterious’ gunshots during a violent protest at Karachi airport, bringing air traffic across the country to near standstill.

Meanwhile, PTI released a list of demands put forth in the charter relating to PIA’s privatisation and other tax measures.

Charter of demands

1.       Reduce petroleum and kerosene precise by Rs 5/liter and diesel price by Rs 20 per liter.

2.      Eliminate three new taxes added on electricity since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came to power.

3.      Eliminate GIDC and announce that the proposed new infrastructure tax on gas will not be imposed.

4.      Take immediate steps to revitalise state institutions like PIA ,  Pakistan Steel Mills, HMC and HEC instead of throwing them away in a loot sale.

5.     Immediately pay the outstanding salary and pensions of employees of all state institutions like Steel Mills, PMTF and others.

6.      Introduce urgent FBR reforms and increase the direct tax collection from the rich and powerful tax evaders.

7.      Take immediate steps to bring back all the black money of Pakistanis from Swiss banks, Dubai properties and other foreign  investments, in particular those of the ruling elite.

Demands related to PIA

1.       Announce Judicial Commission.

2.      Withdraw Essential Services Act implementation.

3.      Assure workers that no coercive action will be taken against them.

4.      Announce deferment of PIA corporatisation by one year.

5.      Appeal to the employees to defer their strike so that Pakistani citizens do not suffer.