JAC ends strike, resumes PIA flight operations from today

KARACHI: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) on Tuesday announced to put an end to more than two-week long strike with immediate effect.

Announcing the end to the strike at a press conference here, Chairman JAC, Sohail Baloch, said he has issued directives to the concerned authorities to resume PIA's flight operations from today.

He said the JAC cannot remain negligent to the safety of the planes while the government has also expressed its concerns regarding the hardships being faced by the passengers. "Safety of the planes and passengers is our foremost priority," he added.

Without taking any name, he said, all the issues were resolved due to the intervention of a ‘kind friend’.

Sohail Baloch said he along with his team is leaving here today for Lahore where he is scheduled to meet government representatives including Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

He said the strike continued for 16 days during which two of their fellow employees embraced martyrdom. “We pay tribute to the martyrs,” he said, adding, it will be made sure that their sacrifice does not go to waste.

The JAC Chairman hoped the interaction with the government representatives will result in progress on matters highlighted during the strike.

The prolonged strike by the JAC saw closure of PIA booking offices and suspension of flight operations, causing hardships to the passengers in general and the Umrah pilgrims in particular.