Feb 06 , 2016
News
Passengers suffer as PIA’s alternate arrangements fail
* Private airlines refuse to accept passengers with PIA tickets * PIA says full amount for tickets will be refunded ‘without asking questions or deducting any charges’
MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz said on Friday the government would not surrender to the protesting employees of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Sharif said that some elements did not want prosperity of the PIA and the country, adding that the government would bring the national carrier back on the right track.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled as strike of the PIA employees entered the fourth day on Friday.
In a related development, the Airport Security Force (ASF) on Friday cancelled airport entry passes of all the PIA employees. The Saudi Airlines, under special arrangements, has started airlifting Pakistanis from Jeddah.
According to the PIA spokesman, “In view of the ongoing strike, the ASF has cancelled airport entry passes of all PIA employees at all airports of Pakistan. Passes would be reissued once the strike is over, in consultation with the PIA management.”
The PIA announced that all international and domestic tickets that were not utilised during the strike would be fully refunded. “There will be no deduction on the refund claims of the unused tickets and full amounts would be reimbursed to the ticket holders after resumption of the normal operations by the airlines.”
Meanwhile, the PIA has made arrangements with Etihad Airways to accommodate its passengers from and to Pakistan. “Now passengers having confirmed PIA tickets would be able to travel by Etihad Airways after endorsement from the PIA offices,” the spokesman added.
Separately, a three-member delegation of the PIA Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Friday met Sindh Rangers Director General Major General Bilal Akbar in Karachi.
During the meeting, the JAC delegates said they wanted to help the Rangers find the murderer of the PIA employees who were shot dead during a protest in Karachi this week.
The protest against the proposed privatisation of the PIA has been continuing for the last 12 days. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled. As a result, private airlines are selling tickets on higher rates.
Privatisation Commission Chairman Muhammad Zubair was set to arrive in Karachi on Friday night with a ‘special message’ of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the protesting PIA employees. Zubair will also meet representatives of the PIA Joint Action Committee during his Karachi visit.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk