Non-payment of salaries ‘not to affect’ PIA flight operations

Spokesperson says salaries of staff in Groups I to IV timely paid

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday refuted reports that its flight operations would be affected due to non-payment of salaries to its staff.

In a statement, the national flag carrier spokesman said though the institution faced financial constraints due to the economic situation in the country, it had paid salaries to staff in Groups I to IV on time.

However, he said, salaries of certain officials were delayed, adding that the payment would be made within the next few days.

The spokesman clarified that PIA officers, including pilots, were discharging their responsibilities and duties with persistence and that the airline was fully functional and operational.

Earlier, some media outlets had reported that the national flag carrier’s operations would be affected as its pilots were considering boycotting flights “in protest” against the non-payment of their pending salaries.

According to details, the officers of PIA from pay scale 5 to 10 including pilots had, reportedly, not received their salaries yet because of funds shortage.

The reports claimed that the pilots were disappointed due to the “prolonged delay” in payment of their pending salaries even during the month of Ramazan.

In midst of financial crisis, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had deducted Rs1.4 billion from the national flag carrier’s accounts.

Furthermore, the FBR was demanding Rs1.7 billion more tax money till next week.

The PIA employees asked the government not to stop their salaries especially during Ramazan with Eidul Fitr approaching near.

Regarding flight operations, the PIA spokesman urged the people not to believe baseless and misleading reports, which he said were spread by elements with ill motives to disrupt PIA's operations.

He said the airline operations would continue unhindered despite the challenges faced by the PIA.