Pakistan Airline Pilots’ Association (PALPA) Saturday refused to hold talks with management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as their strike entered into third day.
Prime Minister’s advisor on aviation Shujaat Azeem had summoned management of PIA and PALPA representatives in Islamabad in a bid to end dispute.
Passengers are facing immense problems as so far 51 flights of national flag carrier were cancelled as a result of the dispute, PIA spokesman said.
According to the spokesman, two more flights – Karachi to Lahore and Lahore to Quetta were cancelled after two more pilots refused to operate flights on pressure of PALPA.
He said that PALPA has been requested repeatedly to end its “illegal strike”.
“Cancellation of flights has affected 5,500 passengers,” the spokesman said.
The government is giving priority to smoothly complete the post-hajj flight operation despite strike of pilots, he added.
The PALPA president Amir Hashmi accused the advisor on aviation Shujaat Azeem of promoting his own business while sidelining the PIA services. He said that the administration wanted to sell the PIA on throw away price.
