The Chairman Senate Special Committee on the Performance of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Mushahidullah Khan on Friday said the government had effectively halted the process of finding a ‘strategic partner’ for the ailing PIA.
Therefore, the employees of the airlines may immediately call off the strike, he said while addressing a hurriedly called press conference at the Aviation Division. The secretary Civil Aviation Authority was also present.
Mushahidullah said issues should be resolved through dialogue rather than opting for any extreme action like strikes.
He said the government was making sincere efforts to revive the economic situation of the financially depressed organizations.
He said rights of PIA employees would be protected and their perks and privileges, salaries, and gratuity would never be affected in the new plan for reviving the national flag carrier.
The Senator urged PIA employees to call-off their strike and solve issues on the negotiating table. He made it clear that the government would go to any extent in protecting employees’ rights, but it would never accept any kind of blackmailing.
The Senator said essential services Act would be invoked, if matters were not solved through dialogue. Answering a question, he expressed the hope that PIA employees would resume their routine work following the government’s decision and perform their duties dedicatedly to get the national flag carrier out of crisis. (APP)
 Mushahidullah Khan on Friday said the government){kind=link}