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KARACHI: The Pakistan Air Lines Pilots Association (Palpa) announced its withdrawal from the strike against government's proposed plan to privatise the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Saturday, with the organisation head directing pilots to resume their duties.
"At least 410 out of 430 pilots in Palpa are in favour of resumption of flight operations," said Palpa President Amir Hashmi, while speaking to DawnNews.
He said PIA pilots are ready to provide their services but they should be provided adequate security as "we are receiving threats from the protesters".
Hashmi said Palpa members were a part of the protest from the beginning but never supported the idea of a complete strike "which can have serious consequences on an airline which is already sinking".
"Pilots are part of a professional body ... we are not a political party," he said, adding that the PIA strike had turned into a political arena.
Hashmi said Palpa stopped flight operations only when "water cannons, baton charge and marches became part of the protest".
"It was not possible to continue flight operations at a time when the situation was so charged."
Read: Passengers stranded for fourth day
The pilots community opposes privatisation because the they think PIA can continue to function if "apt professionals manage it", Hashmi said.
He said the association has written a letter to director general flight operations with commitment to resume flights on the condition that pilots are provided security.
PIA's flight operations remain suspended on Saturday, when the country-wide strike entered its fifth consecutive day, with the national flag carrier incurring an estimated loss of over Rs2 billion since the announcement of strike.
Although Minister of State/Chairman Privatisation Commission Mohammad Zubair met the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of PIA employees in Karachi on Friday and both sides called the talks “meaningful”, the JAC vowed to continue protest and keep flight operations suspended till a satisfactory agreement was reached with the government.
FIR registered
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against 'unknown people' in the case pertaining to the deaths of PIA employees during the first day of protest, confirmed SSP East Rao Anwar.
Privatisation of PIA
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 PIA 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.
But representatives of PIA employees announced on Sunday their opposition to the government's privatisation plan, saying they would continue their strike and bring flight operations to a halt from Tuesday if their demands are not met.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (98) Closed
Feb 06, 2016 12:55pm
Great news... Government should not privatize PIA... Restructure and make it viable because it is our strategic asset and pride of our nation...
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Feb 06, 2016 12:58pm
I support what is in the best of Pakistan, which in this time is the privatization of PIA
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Feb 06, 2016 01:00pm
@Ahmed USA what strategic asset? Not pride but shame of the nation
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Feb 06, 2016 01:00pm
Good for them! That's how professionals are supposed to think and behave.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:04pm
@Ahmed USA : the only way this air line can survive is to let go at least more than 50% of its current employees.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:11pm
@Ahmed USA - *"it is our strategic asset and pride of our nation..."*
It's quickly becoming the embarrassment of your nation...
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Feb 06, 2016 01:16pm
430 Pilots, for an active fleet of just 24 planes!?
What's wrong with this picture??
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Feb 06, 2016 01:16pm
Have they succeeded in dividing the employees in two group? Were they lured with any big promises for salary increases plus?
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Feb 06, 2016 01:18pm
Pakistan must stop political interference in PIA affairs.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:19pm
PIA may be restructured but coruption is main cause of loss not employees
try to steamline the system religiously
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Feb 06, 2016 01:20pm
PIA may be restructured but coruption is main cause of loss not employees
try to steamline the system religiously
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Feb 06, 2016 01:20pm
@Ahmed USA Time to overhaul all bureaucratic systems, make employees perform to make PIA and steel mill profitable. Fire all non-productive fat cats, skimming the system, nepotism, no good for nothing. Run PIA and steel mill like army of disciplined personnel, produce results, no waste of time allowed.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:27pm
@Ahmed USA .now a days its not the pride of our nation.but surely an embarrasemnt and sign of corruption .inefficiency and misgovernance to our nation.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:29pm
Government did not agree to
PTI DHARNA not a chance for PIA workers
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Feb 06, 2016 01:33pm
PIA should be privatized at once sans the Roosevelt hotel. It is utterly mismanaged, and the staff are mediocre at best. Most leading airlines of the world have been privatized; and please don't give examples of Emirates, Etihad, Qatar etc. They hardly have any locals employed, their staff crew, most of the management is from abroad. The government has no need to use the airlines to grant favors or jobs. Major carriers in the world like British Airways, KLM, JAL, American Airlines, Easy Jet, Iberia, Ryan Air, are all privately owned.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:35pm
What done???
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Feb 06, 2016 01:40pm
@Assi "try to streamline the system religiously. Sir what do you mean here? There are systems else an airline would not be able to work. According to management guru Mintzberg such bureaucratic systems are called "machine bureaucracy". However, these systems need to be overhauled through kaizen.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:52pm
Why PIA employees are eager to show efficiency when privatization is on cards? one could easily imagine the luxurious culture of Govt. job.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:57pm
Imran Khan is coming to Karachi. He is going to support the protesters who are against PIA privatisation. Although Imran Khan is well aware that PIA privatization is good for the country , he is going to oppose it because of two reasons. First of all it is initiated by Muslim League Nawaz government and secondly they are protesters who are happy to be on the road for long time. Two people have been killed in these protests and these news have been in the headlines . With this combination he has decided to leave his comfortable home and join the protesters to stop PIA privatisation. Well I don't think he cares about PIA or their protesters. The goal is to make the most of such incidents to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan . I am glad that he has learnt Pakistan's Politics.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:59pm
PIA once run by high caliber professionals is now run by people like our bus transporters the strike is not to save PIA but to save the employees who can never get any employment anywhere else due to incompetence .
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Feb 06, 2016 02:00pm
@ejaz (the only way this air line can survive is to let go at least more than 50% of its current employees.) Are you out of your mind. Let go of these lovely people who were hired thanks to the quota system ?
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Feb 06, 2016 02:03pm
@Yes Man . Do you live in the dreamland. This is Pakistan. Next you will ask to remove the quote system in PIA and use the merit for hiring.
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Feb 06, 2016 02:28pm
It is not about privitization anymore. It is about loss of innocent lives due to brutality of a so called democratic government. First it was Lahore model town massacre then Islamabad incident and now PIA. Remember tomorrow it can be anyone else's turn. The nation should fully support and its employees.
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Feb 06, 2016 02:45pm
@Ahmed USA : Assuming the USA post your name to be country of your residence, I am intrigued and would like to ask you how many airlines is the government of US operating?
Functions of the Government are to create/amend legislation and to enforce them, it is not their role to run enterprises, businesses and utilities!
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Feb 06, 2016 02:48pm
every nation has a national airline...PIA should be managed professionally with no political interference.All the political appointment should be cancelled...recruitment should be done only on merits...
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Feb 06, 2016 02:50pm
good crisis management by this govt!!! way to go PMNS
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Feb 06, 2016 02:51pm
Pilots are seldom the cause of the problems,
The problem lies in the support staff, less engineering and cabin crew, the rest are in fact a burden.
And they are most prominent among those creating a mayhem on the news of the privatization of this once great organization.
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Feb 06, 2016 02:52pm
PIA Pilots should be replaced. They are disgrace to nation
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Feb 06, 2016 03:01pm
Too late, damage has been done. I wouldn't fly this airline ever. I would rather walk
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Feb 06, 2016 03:08pm
@Imran ali Not True. KLM BA Iberia AA Delta ANA Lufthansa JAL China Southern Korean Airline none of these carrier are state owned. Privitisation of PIA is best for the country and best for PIAs future.As the future of the staff those that are dynamic honest and deserving would proabably survive the change of ownership the rest deserve no ones sympathy
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Feb 06, 2016 03:14pm
@Qadar Khan my experience with leading western and middle eastern airlines strongly suggests that a developing country retain control over its national carrier, the doors to its country.the examples in your comment corraborate with this as the airlines you name are owned by a developing states such as gcc and are under supreme control. Given that Palistan is a weak and in my opinion "corrupt" democracy, its imperative PIA is not privatised until pakiatan enjoys the level of economics and stability the developed countries enjoy such as those you meted out whose airlines are privatised. If your PMs mills or any business was not managed properly, do u think he would disown it by selling it or change the incompetant management?
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Feb 06, 2016 03:18pm
@Ahmed USA PIA is not an asset but a liability of billions of Dollars. Money that is spent every year by the government to keep this white elephant alive could be spent for far more useful purposes like medical, education, roads etc. These same arguments were made when entities like UBL, HBL etc were being privatized. Today they are profitable businesses which actually contribute tax revenue. Steel Mill privatization was blocked through protests and court cases. It has now shut down.
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Feb 06, 2016 03:20pm
"PIA can continue to function if "apt professionals manage it", Hashmi said." Surely....but this "if" is not likely to become reality. No chance because in that case what will happen to big number of those recruited by rulers for own political gains ?
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Feb 06, 2016 03:24pm
@Yes Man you pinned it. This is actually what happened
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Feb 06, 2016 03:27pm
PM Sharif must explain why his position was different while in opposition?
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Feb 06, 2016 03:32pm
Good decision on part of PALPA.
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Feb 06, 2016 03:35pm
PIA has become liability, it is no more an asset. Privatization is the only solution.
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Feb 06, 2016 03:55pm
@Imtiaz This for the nation to turn it around, ask your representatives in parliament to after the national interest, not at their pockets first.
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Feb 06, 2016 03:56pm
Surprising that many Pakistanis have opinion that PIA employees' strike is wrong, as it effects people. Such opinion is due to ignorance. No doubt, people do get effected when national airline like 'PIA' goes on strike. But one should ask, whose fault and answer is simple?
In present PIA crisis, direct fault lies with political governments and indirect fault lies with people. Though, least but hidden fault lies with employees.
Government fault: They always mismanaged PIA and to give jobs to political workers, have free luxurious and unnecessary flights, appoint cronies at high posts, and loot the airline as much as they can. It is they who brought the airline to what it is today.
People: They keep electing incompetent, corrupt, characterless and careless politicians in power, whose only reason in politics is to loot and plunder.
PIA employees: Most got job because they have connection with political parties, not because of merit. They never cared for PIA other than their wages.
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Feb 06, 2016 03:57pm
Funny. A palpable sign by Palpa to protect their jobs, by returning to the cockpits!
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Feb 06, 2016 04:45pm
@Ahmed USA in order to make PIA viable we need to fire 13,000 employees. Who will do that?
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Feb 06, 2016 04:46pm
Love them or hate them but PIA is not dying due to it's pilots. It is due to the ghost political employees who are on PIA payroll while at the same time running businesses and transports.
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Feb 06, 2016 05:01pm
Ahmed USA! Agreed to Ahmed's statement that PIA is our strategic asset and pride of the nation. It was and now it can be if restructure it through effective reforms provided employees are not suffered.
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Feb 06, 2016 05:06pm
It is a good news but something has to be done to bring the loss making airline to a profit making company. The employes of the airlines and their union must come up with a sensible proposal and solve the problem.
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Feb 06, 2016 05:08pm
So govts successfully dragged the PIA towards privatisation.. After making it full of loss.. Thanks PPP thanks PML-N
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Feb 06, 2016 05:11pm
So who capitulated? PIA or the Pakistan government?
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Feb 06, 2016 05:13pm
@SAB SE PEHLE PAKISTAN
Atleast comeup with an original name.
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Feb 06, 2016 05:24pm
After billion of dollars lost to the country they have now come to their senses
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Feb 06, 2016 05:33pm
1. How many countries in the world still have national carriers run by Governments?
2. And how many of such countries are progressive and/or developed countries?
3. How many of those which are run by Governments are profitable/successful?
It is not a job for any Govt to run airlines but to regulate them. Those claiming PIA is a "strategic asset/pride of the nation"....... should think a bit deeper instead of using using the "emotional words" and try and find answers to the above 3 questions for their own benefit.
Strategic assets and pride of any nation are only its people ..... not companies running businesses.
Good decision by Palpa as PIA strike is now purely political backed by PPP and PTI/JI.
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Feb 06, 2016 05:44pm
So there are 430 pilots to fly 36 planes?????
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Feb 06, 2016 06:02pm
Is it even safe to fly the planes? You need more than pilots, you Aldo need the whole support team behind it , including engineering and maintenance crew!
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Feb 06, 2016 06:29pm
PIA need maximum 160 pilots for a reported fleet of 38 aeroplanes @ 4 pilots for each plane.Please remove remaining 270 pilots by extending them golden shake hand on last in first out formula.
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Feb 06, 2016 06:39pm
@Imran ali US does not have a national airline.
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Feb 06, 2016 06:44pm
PALPA's standpoint and professional vision - much appreciated.
Because of so much political infiltration in PIA affairs - it was, is, and will not be possible of any Government in power to do anything positive as others will try to defeat that.
So, privatization is the only best solution in Pakistan's interest or or or.. just a crazy thought - let Army set this right. Cool haan..
So the question is - when we say this - doesn't that mean that our society needs a stick.to get disciplined and if the Army is a solution to all our problems - when they intervine and take charge of the deplorable situation created by incapable political leaders, then why everyone cries out loud...
Fingers crossed!
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Feb 06, 2016 06:58pm
Good, fire the other 20 without any benefits. 410 is already too big a number.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:02pm
@Ahmed USA What asset? It is nothing but a loosing prospect and a very bad liability. To run a business is not a government jobn.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:14pm
@Assi It is true that the corruption is a main cause and it is a part of corruption that PIA has over 700 employees per airplane. I have been working in the airline industry for last 30 years in USA, Southwest airlines has around 70 employees per airplane which is the best in the industry. However, mots airlines tries to keep it between 100-150. PIA has to get rid of at least 75% of its employees as part of restructuring regardless privatize or not. Also, it only can happen if it is privatized and completely taken out of the control of corrupt politicians. I wish I see PIA as it was in the 70s and early 80s.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:21pm
"PIA strike had turned into a political arena" - true , it is loaded with PPP's jayalas.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:44pm
The pilot to plan ratio is still very low based on average 4 hours of flight time per pilot per each leg and 2 pilots per flight leg plus 100 back up fleet and double the flight (pilot) crew for long international route. Do the math now!
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Feb 06, 2016 08:35pm
Business considerations apart, every country worth its name needs its own national carrier.
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Feb 06, 2016 08:36pm
@Assi- Very true, An honest judgement!! Thanks.
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Feb 06, 2016 09:18pm
We welcome PALPA's responsible and wise decision to withdraw from the strike. This is how professional bodies should work in the best interest of the airline and nation. Unfortunately, other unions are like mafia resorting to threats and violence. This can't be tolerated in any civilized society. Most of the union demands are for self interest, without caring for serious consequences for the airline. PM Nawaz Sharif must show leadership by resolving this crisis promptly in the best interest of PIA and the nation.
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Feb 06, 2016 09:19pm
Whatever the strikers issues are they have caused suffering to all the wrong people, people in no way responsible for any of it, ordinary people who need to fly for work and family, costing the airline and the country huge amounts of wasted money in the process. Every organisation goes through changes and I suspect there are selfish motives for the strike, they are not sending a good message to the world about their ability to take effective but fair industrial action and their rash behaviour and threatening of staff shows the level they are on. This isn't Polish dock workers, they aren't going to change anything in the long run, and PIA has no choice but to change regardless, they just turned support against them by clumsily shutting normal life down just because they could. PIA should resume flights immediately.
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Feb 06, 2016 09:34pm
Smart people.
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Feb 06, 2016 09:52pm
My mother passed away last month. My wife and kids were unable to attend funeral. we booked flight for PIA for this weekend and now it is cancelled
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Feb 06, 2016 09:53pm
Please open flights
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Feb 06, 2016 09:53pm
sack all pia employees they are useless
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Feb 06, 2016 10:10pm
The PIA must not be privatized not any of its part or belongings sold. It must be revamped. It was worlds front line carrier during 1960's under the dynamic leadership of Air Commodore Nur Khan. How shameful it is that Pakistan couldn't find one person out of 20 million people who can revamp PIA.
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Feb 06, 2016 10:21pm
lets !!!change n progress.
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Feb 06, 2016 10:24pm
@ejaz exactly get rid of safarshi people and bring in people who know hot run an airline!!
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Feb 06, 2016 11:17pm
PIA can be the same PIA of air marshall NUR KHANs time.It is man behind the gun and not quality of gun.politicians in this socalled democracy put yheir own choice as md of PIA then tell him to induct by hook or by crook their jialas or workers specially in lower grades or stewards and hostesses.Pilots suffer the most who are educated,skilled and in minority.substandard people without merit land up in PIA.From where will they be paid.it is just like one bus and 5 drivers and10 cleaners.The passengers revenue is so much that they should be in profit.The politician has earned his vote to elect the corrupt man again but the organisation and country has suffered.PM should hire an english or german MD and kick out the rotten eggs.then see the difference.The pilots are victims of these politicians who have ruined PIA.Why president ayub did not privatise but still it was the best airline.it was man behind the gun.democracy makes "massi da vehra" of everything in pakistan
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Feb 07, 2016 12:27am
@Ahmed USA ... The head of PIA could not even fire the drug smugglers. That is when corrupt unions have too much power.
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Feb 07, 2016 12:45am
@A shah yep
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Feb 07, 2016 12:46am
@BNS smart but not wise
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Feb 07, 2016 12:47am
@Asim whos pia? or what
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Feb 07, 2016 12:48am
@ejaz ... You are right. Half of them should go. That's what they are worried about.
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Feb 07, 2016 12:52am
@Yes Man ... These old steel mills are not technologically viable. It requires too many man hours to produce 200 tons of steel.
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Feb 07, 2016 12:55am
@Imran ali .... The United States does not have a national airline.
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Feb 07, 2016 12:56am
@Yes Man ..... Pilots and birds want to fly.
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Feb 07, 2016 01:00am
@Sadary .... .... "This is your captain speaking. We will be on automatic pilot. The cabin crew has to pray."
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Feb 07, 2016 01:26am
@Iftikhar Husain ..... The PIA employees are not going to fire themselves.
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Feb 07, 2016 01:30am
@Ali .... Most of the union demands cannot be met.
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Feb 07, 2016 01:34am
@MKB .... As a result of it's efficient methods Southwest Airlines has always offered the lowest fares.
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Feb 07, 2016 02:55am
@Irfan_Sydney. It not the quota system. It is sefarish system to oblige political supporters.
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Feb 07, 2016 04:01am
Privatization is good way to run PIA but there is a big if " Govt. should be inform all the party and nation about privatization.
What procedure they are going to adapt and it must be transparency. The govt. is not sincere and honest about this all episode.
They are acting like a dictator not a politician. Threatening the employees is it a way of democratic representation.
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Feb 07, 2016 04:05am
@Ahmed USA What a strategic asset!!! The organisation is making a huge loss to the exchequer of Pakistan; and its clients do not any good word for this " strategic asset".
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Feb 07, 2016 05:20am
@Ahmed USA - Pride of our nation, really, when was the last time you used PIA to travel to Pakistan or anywhere?
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Feb 07, 2016 06:01am
PIA 40 airplane 430 pil0ts means almost 11 pilots for one airplane is it good management?
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Feb 07, 2016 06:13am
@Skeptic -----the decission makers have made Dubai what it is nowif not Pakistan would have been like Dubai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Feb 07, 2016 06:18am
@Imran ali ----these kind of things do not happen in Pakistan!!!!!!!!
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Feb 07, 2016 06:30am
@Qadar Khan --yes also Pakistan with PIA.
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Feb 07, 2016 07:31am
@Irfan_Sydney Find solution. Dont spread hate.
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Feb 07, 2016 07:46am
Govt has guaranteed that no PIA employees will be laid off. So its clear that just as in case of PTCL, even incompetent employees will be continued and offered golden handshakes, etc. Also, govt is going to retain majority share, so its not like selling off PIA. So the big question is, why are employees still using force to stop this change. I can think of only 1 answer...they're so used to sitting idle and hardly doing any work all day, that they really dont want to be forced to work by a new management. Also extravagant employee perks like free tickets for whole family and all, who wants to let it go...Who cares if you keep burning poor peoples taxpayer money like crazy.
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Feb 07, 2016 08:04am
Great News PALPA President Capt Hashmi and we congratulate you on this move !
Also please refer to PIA Pilot strike Year 1968 well handled by Rtd Capt Nana, Rtd Capt Jonnny Sadiq, Late Capt Baakza & Rtd Capt Khan
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Feb 07, 2016 09:38am
It is widely believed Government struck a deal to sell PIA and as long as there is no impropriety, it should be upheld. It is the way Government conducted its business in such secrecy, fingers are naturally being raised causing suspicion amongst employees of being made the sacrificial goat. The business tycoons unfortunately have led Pakistan in between military rule lack wisdom, their action usually inappropriate in its use of tax payers money in a manner benefitting a few. In the alternative, the Government should explore avenues to buy top management from any country learning from the success of Emirates and other airlines in that region, knowing such management will stop bleeding of the ailing PIA, provided sufficient incentives are given to turn it around.
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Feb 07, 2016 10:43pm
PIA should be privatized . governments do not run airlines.
more competitive rated will emerge and Civil aviation will grow so that new jobs also created and huge salaries of just few technical staff including pilots.. get cut down to size.
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Feb 08, 2016 10:32am
According to a press news since long like many others institutions Airlines is heavily overstaffed by political appointees at all level. Right from smallest parts to Aircrafts being purchased with heavy kick backs and hidden commissions. Same been happening on all sorts of maintenance work of aircrafts and all the Airlines properties. It was not much surprising under the governance of "Alibabas and chalis Chors" who have turn by turn devoured billions and billions on ghost schools and many other agricultural and public welfare projects which never existed? Now even the merited, honest and hardworking employees have to suffer like the majority of the Nation for the wrongdoings of corrupts?
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Feb 08, 2016 06:37pm
How come there are 430 pilots while one can hardly see PIA planes at airports? Foreign airline planes outnumber PIA at any time. This out of proportion number of pilots is a burden on the airline.
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