KARACHI, April 20: PIA Cabin-Crew Solidarity Front has demanded of the newly-appointed PIA chief to restore and honour all previous agreements signed between the management and unions. At a press conference here on Wednesday, the front leaders welcomed new PIA chairman, Tariq Kirmani, and demanded that contract system in the flight service department be abolished.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the front leaders, Arif Shafiq, Shamim Akmal and Ashraf Ballu, expressed the hope that Mr Kirmani would manage the airline on really corporate lines.

The speakers, however, criticised the former PIA chief, Ahmed Saeed, terming him “an egoist, self-centred and non-professional person.”

They pointed out that union activities in the airline were suspended for a limited period, but these still continue despite a lapse of three years.

The cabin crew front expressed the hope that the new PIA chief would utilize his abilities for the benefit of the airline and its employees, particularly the cabin crew.

They demanded that for safety of passengers and aircraft, the “10+2” duty time limitation be enforced and curtailed off days be brought at par with other employees.

They said international outstation slip allowance which be revised upward.

They said standard of hotels be brought at par with other international airlines while shortage of 700 cabin crew be addressed immediately.

They were of the view that the post of flight security search be handed to properly trained security staff as was practice in the past.

The front leaders suggested that the huge amount saved by the airline on account of crew shortage may be distributed among cabin crew who shouldered this burden and over-worked. They also demanded that payment of arrears of Rs 180 million be made since 1996 as a goodwill gesture.