Employees protest against
privatization of PIA
Employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staged a firm
protest against the proposed privatization and outsourcing plans of the
airline. Led by President Hidayatullah Khan, members of the People’s Unity of
PIA gathered to oppose what they see as a deliberate attempt to dismantle a
cherished national asset.
Voicing their dissent through slogans and banners, the union
members expressed deep concerns regarding the potential devaluation and
eventual sale of the airline. President Hidayatullah Khan specifically
highlighted apprehensions about the proposed outsourcing of the Islamabad
flight kitchen, citing significant disparities between current operational
costs and management's outsourcing plans.
Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA) union to go on strike against privatization
President Hidayatullah also raised suspicions of corruption
surrounding the awarding of contracts at inflated prices, reaffirming the
union's commitment to protecting the airline, even at personal risk.
In addition, the union's General Secretary, Rana Mohammad Kashif,
took legal action by filing a petition challenging the contracts. Kashif
alleges inflated costs and potential corruption in the outsourcing process,
citing significant differences between the actual cost of PIA’s flight kitchen
and the contracted amount with a firm named Kitchen Cuisine.
Government
in talks with protesting Civil Aviation Authority employees
Accusations were leveled against influential figures within PIA,
including Fawad Hasan Fawad and PIA’s CEO officials, whom Khan accused of
driving the privatization and outsourcing agenda.
Source: https://www.newsx.com/