PIA employees end strike, resume flight operations

The Joint action Committee (JAC) of the employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced to end the strike and asked the employees to resume flight operations across the country with immediate effect.

Addressing a press conference, Joint action Committee chairman Sohail Baloch announced the decision to end the eight day long strike and requested "all the airline workers to work with full dedication and pay no heed to anyone trying to disrupt the flight operations". Baloch said that, "A kind friend advised us to call off the strike." The Joint action Committee chairman said he will meet Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Will reach in Lahore on Tuesday (today). "We hope that the meeting with Punjab chief minister will be satisfactory and beneficial for both for the government and the employees of PIA," said Baloch.

When asked if the Joint action Committee has retracted from its demands, Baloch said he will "apprise media about the developments after meeting with the Punjab chief minister". If the Pakistan International Airlines workers cooperate with each other, there is no reason they cannot revive the airline within an year, said Baloch. "We can revive this airline, we just need some support and guidance," he claimed.

The Pakistan International Airlines flight operations had partially resumed on Monday and the head offices in Karachi and Islamabad were reopened. Numerous flight flew to their destinations and also arrived from different national and international locations. However, Pakistan International Airlines employees voiced concerns that proper safety protocol had not been followed to put the planes in the air.

Pakistan International Airlines engineers warned the management against operating flights without ensuring the aircraft's maintenance protocols as it may cause serious safety hazards. The National Assembly on January 21 witnessed the passage of six bills, including one to convert the national flag carrier into a public limited company. Under the bill, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) is to be converted into a public limited company as Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL). The government plans to split the ailing national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines into two companies and sell the control of its core business to a global airline, but the opposition to the sell-off has been intense.