Pakistan

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

Qamar Zaman/rabia Ali February 06, 2016

Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan addressing the protesting employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at Star Gate in Karachi on February 6, 2016. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD AZEEM/EXPRESS

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.

PIA crisis: Late night meeting fails to break deadlock

"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."

Imran calls PML-N govt ‘democratic dictatorship’

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.

COMMENTS (22)

Ali shah | 8 years ago | Reply its very strange that there is no capable or honest person in govt who can run P.I.A as profitable organization ? privatization is not a solution all of we remember the privatization of PTCL Pakistan had sold 26 percent PTCL shares with management to Etislat and it was considered as a very successful deal under Pakistan’s privatization programme but later development of dispute over title of properties has proved Pakistan’s early assessments totally wrong Etisalat Refused to Pay Remaining $ 800 Million.P.I.A is not a Pvt bus svc its our flag carrier Airline,having more then 100 routes what about the goodwill of these routes ? and don't forget the assets of P.I.A.if there is a problem it can be rectify to higher a retired Air marshal with good repute. PIA has a history of milestones in aviation, such as being the first Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft and Boeing 737 aircraft.Once P.I.A was among the world leading Airlines.As concerned to Staff they are performing their duty very well (12 hours shift) better then those govt employees they spend most of time reading newspaper and playing candy crush in their offices and never pay attention without some NAZRANA so what the the role of all those depts ? Employees are not responsible for corruption as they don't have write to interfere in managerial issues.

The way forward | 8 years ago | Reply The wary forward should be to get rid of the incompetent and non-performing employees regardless how they might have been appointed. But that is the crux of the problem as there is no way possible to get rid of them without privatization. So as to pave the way for PIA's profitability without privatization, can readers suggest some way of getting rid of the dead wood, a way, that would stand up successfully to the challenge of being turned down by the courts? Readers please enlighten.

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Shahid Akram | 8 years ago | Reply Imran khan aqal se paidal hai

Salman | 8 years ago | Reply Will this man ever say something that is sensible or does he always take the wrong side on every issue?

Butt | 8 years ago | Reply @TN: 'you're fed up of supporting money loosing organizations but have no problem in paying extra taxes to service new debts being taken by government that have no transparency in the way they are spent. Majority of them are hard working people. The government needs to initiate a dialogue instead of acting like dictatorship. You'r taxes pay government's salaries. How about people demand fairness in the process and PIA employees have every right to protest thats the main concept of unions to have bargaining power and job security. Maybe your not aware of the bigger picture here. The government plans to privatize 68 corporations in return for IMF loans. How about the Mughal Emperor cut down his expenditure and stop massive borrowing before asking average person to loose his livelihood.'

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply Imran khan Niazi and tuq should be in jail for the chaos in Islamabad last year. It is because we fail to take action against such miscreants that we have pia employees daring to strike and break the law

Zahid | 8 years ago | Reply Good proposal

Sceptic | 8 years ago | Reply Imran Khan is playing politics on an economic issue of national importance. His statement shows he is not neutral but is exciting and encouraging PIA workers to continue their illegal strike. There cannot be any negotiations at gun point. PIA workers must first return to work immediately and unconditionally. Any further delay in privatizing PIA will mean there will be no privatization but a total collapse of the airlines like Pak Steel.

pervaiz | 8 years ago | Reply Mr. IK, please do not politicise matter of PIA as this is good for Pakistan if loss making institution are privitized. You have a mandate for kpk and decide yourself whether privtization of hospitals in kpk is possible. BAHIGANI SHADDI MAYN ABDULLAH DEWANA

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply As usual cheap political stunts and point scoring by IK. Does he not know the attitude of PIA employees towards the ordinary citizens of Pakistan. majority of them just don't want to do their jobs, they just want their salaries and perks. no private business want to lose performing and hardworking employees.

Ahmer | 8 years ago | Reply Dharna King Wants dialogue with Dharna Walas who make unconstitutional demands on Pakistan Government. Ho Hum. What else is new with PTI?

Sodomite | 8 years ago | Reply @TN: Pakistanis are simply fed up of everything in life, including their own wives. We are sick of disturbances happening all the time. What we want is "pursuit of happiness" but all we get is moans and groans that we are tired of listening.

Humza | 8 years ago | Reply @TN: PTI is just engaging in opportunism. Let them have games and dharnas while doing nothing. Most Pakistanis understand that PIA has needed drastic changes for many years now. At least this government is going to tackle the issues but the PIA employees are used to free money without having to work which is why partial privatization scares them. All the Pakistanis I know support the government in holding firm against blackmailing tactics of PIA workers. Time to dump them and re hire committed workers just like Ronald Reagan did to striking air traffic employees in the US.

sabi | 8 years ago | Reply You see this man leaves no opportunity to destroy the interests of the nation. Shame on this man.He is no doubt a biggest loser.Go ahead pmln don't give this man a damn just like the nation has rejected him.

F Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Khan Sb. has no other solution for any issue other than making a judicial commission.This time also this tops then demand list.I would suggest he suggest a judicial commission to run the country.He is just trying to use this issue for his political advantage, which is cheap politics for someone who aspires to be the next PM.

Shuaib | 8 years ago | Reply Where was Imran Khan when PPP was busy making 1,000s of political appointments in PIA? All these employees got their jobs through CORRUPTION!

Saleem | 8 years ago | Reply Clueless Imran Khan needs to understand that PIA can't continue in its present form. This man, who flies on chartered plane will not understand that. PML (N) might not have handled PIA strike as it should have but what is an alternate? Tax payers keep footing salaries of non-performing PIA employees? Please cut this rhetoric and come up with a solution. And if you don't have one then better to shut up.

Aftab | 8 years ago | Reply PIA should learn from IK ..protests are the waste of time.

gorrime | 8 years ago | Reply opportunists trying to hijack the protests.

Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply Someone remind this liar, privatisation was part of his manifesto.

pervaiz | 8 years ago | Reply Dear IK, Please do not play your politics at expense of Pakistan. PIA matter should be fixed once for all and you unnecessary involvement will make this complicated matter. Please go to kpk and talk with doctors who are protesting for this type issue. You have a lot of time to play politics in kpk where peoples are expecting from you after giving votes.

TN | 8 years ago | Reply PTI may take over PIA and try to turn it around. Pakistanis are fed up in supporting money loosing organizations.

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