Shehbaz says govt does not want to privatise PIA but it cannot bear a loss of Rs 100 million on a daily basis
A delegation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)’s Joint Action Committee led by its Chairman Sohail Baloch said on Wednesday that the delegates were satisfied with the meeting that they had with Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the proposed privatisation of the Airline and the employees’ concerns regarding the move.
Baloch told media personnel after the meeting that the committee held a three-hour long meeting with Shahbaz Sharif. Dialogue with the CM was successful as they were returning to Karachi pleased with the meeting, he added.
He said that Sharif acknowledged their right to put forth their demands regarding the issue. Baloch said that ultimately the federal government would negotiate with the Pakistan International Airlines’ employees.
Baloch said that CM Shahbaz has vowed to forward the committee’s demands to Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif. They have informed the Chief Minister of their reservations over Essential Service Act also, he added.
The chairman quoted Chief Minister as saying that the government does not want to lose the national airline as it is a national asset.
On the other hand, CM Shahbaz while addressing participants of the meeting said that the government does not want to privatise PIA but it cannot bear a loss of Rs 100 million on daily basis.
During the meeting, the Joint Action Committee put forth its demands before the chief minister in the matter of protests and strike by the employees of the airline over the proposed privatisation of the company.
The committee demanded of the government to postpone privatisation of the airline by one year. Earlier, the government announced to postpone the process by six months in response to protests across the country.
Baloch said that the chief minister had taken notice of a harassment complaint of an air hostess and ordered to arrest the culprits involved in the incident.
“We are satisfied after meeting Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as he has assured us of support and help in addressing the issue,” Baloch said after the meeting.
The JAC demanded of the government during the meeting with CM Sharif to shut some routes of the PIA as they run in loss due to low number of customers.
REDUCTION IN FARE FOR UMRAH PILGRIMS:
The Pakistan International Airlines announced to cut ticket prices for Umrah pilgrims on Wednesday with immediate effect. The pilgrims will now be charged Rs 54,500 for travel from Islamabad and Rs 44,500 from Karachi.
