800 PIA engineers go on strike
By Saad Ahmed

RAWALPINDI—Following the deadlock of dialogue process between Administration of PIA and AirCraft Engineers, nearly 800 aircraft Engineers have announced to go on a strike for an indefinite period.
Due to the strike of more than 800 aircraft engineers belonging to various airports of the country, routine flights of PIA are suffering to a great extent resulting in either long delays or cancellation of flights hence further augmenting the miseries of the ill-fated passengers. Chairman PIA Zafar Ahmed was of a clear-cut stance that the national airline is facing sheer loss of Rs 35 billion underlining that PIA cannot afford to give the Aircraft Engineers handsome package according to their wishes.
While on the other hand, PIA's Deputy Managing Director Umer Ghafoor said that Aircraft Engineers are using negative tactics adding that such tools will not gain them anything. He said that legal action would be taken against such people who are trying to damage the image of the National carrier. PIA's Public Relation Department statement says that due to obduracy of Aircraft Engineers, PIA credibility is at a high stake because flights are being cancelled or delayed.
PIA is making sure that process of meaningful dialogue is made with the stubborn Aircraft Engineers so that the thorny matter is solved in an amicable matter rather than usage of force. PIA Spokesman has informed all the respected passengers that they must contact 111,786-786 for flight inquiry in view to avoid any untoward incident due to cancellation/delay in flights.
Up to now 16 flights have been cancelled which include flights to and from Lahore, Multan, Islamabad, Gilgit, Skardu and Chitral flights.