Month-long elections for pilots’ association start

Winners will be announced on February 18.

LAHORE: The biennial elections of Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (Palpa) have started with traditional politicking, campaigning and rivalry among captains of the national flag carrier.

Polling has kicked off and will continue for a month at the Palpa House, says a press release. The announcement of newly elected office-bearers including president, secretary and executive committee members will be made on February 18 in the general body meeting.

“The one-month polling period has been set to ensure participation of all Palpa members, who could easily use their right without interruption of their services and professional responsibilities,” it said.

Forty-two candidates are competing in the elections including five retired captains and 37 serving pilots. The electoral college consists of 496 active members excluding 380 retired captains, who are also part of the association.

Four captains are running for the post of president including current president Sohail Baluch, Amir Hashmi, Haroon Abdullah and Basharat Ali Chaudhry.

The top slot is considered highly important because the Palpa president also serves as top representative of the PIA Joint Action Committee, a powerful platform for airline workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2012.