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PIA removes top officials of engineers’ association over ongoing conflict
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has dismissed the president and secretary general of the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) after tensions between the airline’s management and engineering staff disrupted flight operations in recent days.
According to an official notification, PIA removed SAEP President Abdullah Jadoon and Secretary General Awais Jadoon from service under its regulations after they failed to appear for personal hearings on November 4 and 5 before the airline’s CEO. The notification said that PIA began inquiries into their conduct last year and gave both officials several chances to defend themselves.
Sources told Geo News that the dismissals came as engineers continued their protest over poor working conditions and safety-related concerns.
Awais Jadoon said the airline terminated them because the engineers refused to clear aircraft with technical issues. “We will challenge these decisions in court,” he said, adding that the engineers were only raising genuine safety concerns and highlighting violations of maintenance standards.
The ongoing protest by aircraft engineers has already caused major flight delays, especially in Karachi, as engineers stopped issuing safety clearances. PIA had to make alternative maintenance arrangements to resume operations and assist stranded passengers.
Two days ago, SAEP announced that its members would not return to work until the airline’s CEO changed his stance and agreed to hold talks. The engineers had also been wearing black armbands for over two months to press their demands but said management ignored their peaceful protest.
According to SAEP sources, engineers have not received a pay raise in eight years and are struggling with a shortage of spare parts. They claimed they were often pressured to approve aircraft for flights despite technical problems. “Passenger safety is our top priority, and we will not compromise on it,” the union said.
Meanwhile, the PIA CEO ordered strict disciplinary action against anyone disrupting operations and warned that he would not tolerate such behaviour.
A PIA spokesperson stated that the engineers’ body has no legal standing, claiming the protest’s real aim is to sabotage the airline’s privatisation process. The spokesperson added that using “safety concerns” as a reason to walk off the job was a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations and pressure management.
The CEO reminded employees that the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, is in force at PIA, which makes strikes and walkouts illegal, warning that those involved will face legal action.
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