The Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (PALPA) on Wednesday called off its strike over intervention of Senate’s Committee, ending the week-long dispute, which led to cancellation of 78 flights.
“There is no strike from us. But we will not work beyond our set daily limit,” Amir Hashmi, President of the pilots association, told media persons in Islamabad, where he arrived to appear before Senate’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics.
“We are calling off the strike following assurance of members of the standing committee to address our reservations,” he said.
The PALP chief urged the committee to sit with all stakeholders to resolve the issue permanently.
Senate Talha Mahmood, who chaired the committee, put off the meeting till Friday.
The PALPA was demanding the resignation of Director Flights Operation and withdrawal of all show-cause notices before joining the talks.
The PIA administration, however, rejected PAPLA’s demands and announced to hire new pilots on contract to ensure smooth flight operations of the national flag carrier.
Earlier in the day, Lahore-Karachi (PK-315), Sukkur-Karachi (PK-541), Madina-Karachi (PK-747) and Abu Dhabi-Lahore (PK-268) were delayed.
Nearly 78 flights were cancelled since beginning of the dispute, inflicting loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.
