Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has denied reports that its operations would be limited because employees were considering going on strike over unpaid wages, but the national flag carrier acknowledged that it was having financial difficulties this month “due to the country’s economic situation, made worse by a few necessary payments”.
A PIA official said that the company has timely paid Group 1 to 4 employees’ pay. He stated that although the pay of cops and other authorities had been postponed for a few days, they will be paid soon.
The spokesperson made it clear that PIA employees, including pilots, were carrying out their duties with “complete dedication and persistence” and that the airline was up and running as usual. “The attempt to publish the news about influencing the operation by some elements is baseless and misleading,” he continued.
In a recent meeting, the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation was informed that many pilots were leaving the nation due to salary reductions in the form of hefty taxes.
The chief executive officer of PIA informed the committee that 15 pilots had lately left the country and that the Supreme Court had not yet heard an appeal for the hiring of young male employees by PIA.
The Senate Finance Committee’s head, Senator Hidayatullah, stated that the future of aspiring pilots was in danger and tasked Senator Saleem Mandviwalla with bringing the matter up with the Federal Board of Revenue.
