Contempt of NIRC court served on PIA

LAHORE
National Industrial Relations Commission’s court has served a contempt of court notice on Pakistan International Airlines for terminating an employee despite the incumbent having court’s stay orders against any such action.
Passenger Services Supervisor at the Allama Iqbal International Airport Zulfiqar Dar was suspended from service on 13th August as a result of an investigation regarding dereliction of duty that led to the illegal travel of a passenger to Canada with inappropriate documents.
The incumbent had acquired stay order against action of termination by the NIRC court under the “Unfair Labour Practice” clause of the NIRC rules. However, on 3rd September, Zulfiqar Dar received termination letter from PIA which declared him guilty of criminal negligence of duty. Zulfiqar stated that it came as a shock to him as he was not once investigated or called in for inquiry by PIA and his trial/investigation was held in his absence. He alleged that he was shown any plausible proof apart from a statement from one of the employees against him, and that too was not shared with him by PIA.
Zulfiqar moved the NIRC court against his termination and the court citing PIA’s ignorance towards court stay order, issued a contempt of court notice against PIA. The hearing of this case has been set for 4th October.
PIA spokesperson, while commenting on the issue said that Zulfiqar Dar did not submit the stay order or inform the PIA regarding the stay order in any way. He said that Zulfiqar Dar submitted the stay order after receiving the termination order and a proof of that is the receiving date of the stay order with Zulfiqar Dar. Zulfiqar Dar said that he was not aware that he had to submit the stay order and thought that the court would send a copy of the stay order to PIA itself.
When inquired about the investigation/trial of the former passenger sales supervisor being held in his absence, PIA spokesperson said that the matter was now sub judice and it would not be appropriate to comment on it.
He said that the court would be the best body to decide if the investigation/trial was held justly and if Zulfiqar’s termination was justified.