PIA employees protest against privatization, vow to stop it at all costs

Workers of the People’s Unity have protested against the privatization of the national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), declaring that privatization will not be allowed under any circumstances.

According to details, employees under the banner of PIA People’s Unity staged a protest outside the PIA Town Office in Lahore.

Holding protest banners, they took to the streets, raised strong slogans against privatization, and demanded an immediate halt to the process, stating that privatization is being carried out in violation of the Constitution and the law.

Speaking to the media, People’s Unity President Rana Kashif said that PIA has been earning billions of rupees in profits for the past one and a half years, and that routes to Europe and other countries have been restored. He added that if privatization is inevitable, the airline should be handed over to its employees.

Rana Kashif said that whatever bid is offered by any company, the employees are willing to offer more.

He demanded that aircraft be handed over to them and permission be granted to repair grounded planes, stating that employees are not being allowed to carry out maintenance. He alleged that attempts are being made to sell PIA to mafia groups at throwaway prices.

He further warned that if privatization goes ahead, they would even resort to suicide and will stop the privatization process at all costs.

Rana Kashif also said that the privatization has neither been approved by Parliament nor by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

He stressed that PIA is a state-owned institution and the Constitution and law do not permit such privatization. He challenged the authorities to present proof if parliamentary approval has been obtained.