ISLAMABAD (News Desk) – Employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday staged a sit-in at Islamabad International Airport, stepping up their protest against the proposed privatisation of the national flag carrier and warning that flight operations could be brought to a standstill if their concerns are brushed aside.
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The demonstration was organised by the People’s Unity of PIA Employees Union and was led by union president Ramzan Laghari, General Secretary Sohail Mukhtar and other senior office-bearers. Protesters raised slogans and pledged to “leave no stone unturned” to block what they described as an unjust sell-off of the airline.
Union leaders told the gathering that privatisation under the guise of reforms would not be accepted if it amounted to “selling the family silver.” They demanded clear and binding assurances for the protection of employees’ jobs and benefits should the process move forward.
Warning of tougher action, General Secretary Sohail Mukhtar said that employees could shut down PIA’s operations if they were pushed to the brink. He added that the protest movement would be taken nationwide, with demonstrations planned at major stations including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad.
The protest comes as the federal government has announced December 23 as the date for the auction of PIA, with preparations for the privatisation process already under way.
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