Pakistan International Airlines’ Employees Protest Against Privatisation Plans

In a resolute demonstration of dissent, the employees’ union of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staged a protest against the proposed privatization and outsourcing of the national carrier. According to ARY News, members of the People’s Unity of PIA, led by President Hidayatullah Khan, gathered to vehemently oppose what they perceive as a calculated effort to dismantle a cherished national asset.

Raising slogans and displaying banners with messages of defiance, the union members expressed grave concerns over the potential privatization and outsourcing of PIA, fearing it would undervalue and ultimately sell off the airline. President Hidayatullah Khan highlighted specific apprehensions regarding the proposed outsourcing of the Islamabad flight kitchen, revealing that the current operational cost amounts to Rs 600 million, while management aims to outsource it for Rs 1.80 billion—an action vehemently opposed by the union.

Addressing the gathered employees, President Hidayatullah stressed the suspicion of corruption surrounding the awarding of contracts at higher prices, declaring the union’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the airline, even at the risk of their own lives, as reported by Saama News.

Furthermore, the union’s General Secretary, Rana Mohammad Kashif, has taken legal action by filing a petition challenging the contracts. Alleging inflated costs and potential corruption, Kashif contests that the cost of PIA’s flight kitchen is Rs 1.4 billion, whereas the contract for the same work is being awarded to a firm called Kitchen Cuisine for Rs 1.680 billion. Saama News reported that the federal government, PIA, and two private companies, including Kitchen Cuisine, have been named as parties in the petition.

Accusations were also directed towards influential figures within PIA, notably Fawad Hasan Fawad and PIA’s CEO officials, whom Khan accused of spearheading the privatisation and outsourcing agenda.