Palpa urges PIA joint action committee to resume operations
Palpa is not in favour of extending the strike, Palpa President Amir Hashmi said
PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (Palpa) on Saturday urged Pakistan International Airline (PIA) workers' joint action committee to resume flight operations, Express News reported.
"The association was never in favour of halting flight operations, but following the death of our colleagues, it had become impossible to continue operations," Palpa President Capt Amir Hashmi said while addressing the media.
PIA crisis: Late night meeting fails to break deadlock
Major Pakistan airports remained crippled by industrial action Saturday as a strike by employees of the national flag carrier against plans to privatise the airline entered its fifth day.
All of PIA's foreign and domestic flights were suspended with thousands of passengers, including Pakistani domestic workers trying to fly to the Middle East, stranded at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and other key hubs.
Capt Hashmi asserted that Palpa is not in support of extending the strike any further. "Three-day mourning period is over, pilots should not resume their duties," he said.
PIA strike grounds passengers across country
Earlier this week, two protesting airline employees were shot dead and several more wounded at Karachi’s international airport when clashes broke out between security forces and staff, though authorities denied opening fire.
The strike continues despite Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s warning the demonstration was illegal and those taking part could face up to a year in prison under a law that restricts union activity in state-administered sectors.
The Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (Palpa) on Saturday urged Pakistan International Airline (PIA) workers' joint action committee to resume flight operations, Express News reported.
"The association was never in favour of halting flight operations, but following the death of our colleagues, it had become impossible to continue operations," Palpa President Capt Amir Hashmi said while addressing the media.
PIA crisis: Late night meeting fails to break deadlock
Major Pakistan airports remained crippled by industrial action Saturday as a strike by employees of the national flag carrier against plans to privatise the airline entered its fifth day.
All of PIA's foreign and domestic flights were suspended with thousands of passengers, including Pakistani domestic workers trying to fly to the Middle East, stranded at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and other key hubs.
Capt Hashmi asserted that Palpa is not in support of extending the strike any further. "Three-day mourning period is over, pilots should not resume their duties," he said.
PIA strike grounds passengers across country
Earlier this week, two protesting airline employees were shot dead and several more wounded at Karachi’s international airport when clashes broke out between security forces and staff, though authorities denied opening fire.
The strike continues despite Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s warning the demonstration was illegal and those taking part could face up to a year in prison under a law that restricts union activity in state-administered sectors.