The government and PIA’s Joint Action Committee (JAC) could not break the standoff that was triggered after the government pressed ahead with its privatization plan. However, the two sides will have negotiations again today (Saturday), according to sources.
JAC Chairman Sohail Baloch ruled out the reinstatement of flight operation before the logical end to the deadlock, saying, “Flight operation will be restored only after the final result.”
It should be mentioned here that the first round of negotiations between the government and the PIA employees did not come to fruition. As a result, the flight operation will remain suspended on fifty day today.
The protesting employees closed down PIA offices at airports of all major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta.
The government vowed not to let up its tough stance vis-à-vis protesting employees, saying it would go ahead with its privatization plan.
Addressing joint session of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council in Muzaffarabad, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government was committed to improving the national flag carrier and would not succumb to any ‘unjustified’ protest by its workers.
