Essential Services Act imposed in PIA
To ensure uninterrupted airline operations, the Pakistan
government has implemented the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). This act grants PIA the
authority to take punitive actions against employees who defy lawful directives.
According to the official notification, the act will be in effect
for six months. Employees who ignore lawful orders issued during their
employment will face disciplinary action.
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Additionally, the act applies to employees who abandon their
duties without reasonable justification, are absent from work, refuse to
perform assigned tasks, or leave designated work areas specified in official
orders without prior consent from the appropriate authority.
The notification states that individuals found guilty of violating
this act are subject to imprisonment for up to one year and potential fines.
This development follows earlier reports in May indicating
progress in the privatization process of PIA. By the May 17 deadline, eight
companies had submitted bids expressing interest in the privatization of the
national carrier. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the
pre-qualification process for potential bidders is set to begin imminently.
Shortlisted companies will receive detailed information about PIA during this
phase, with the pre-qualification process expected to conclude by the end of
May.
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The bidding process has seen proposals from several firms,
including China's Shineji Company, Fly Jinnah, and Airblue Limited. Other
contenders are Jiri International Pvt Ltd, Younis Brothers Holdings Consortium,
Pak Ethanol Consortium, and Blue World City Consortium.
Source: ARY News