KARACHI - Thousands of passengers were yesterday left in lurch after PIA pilots’ went on strike against the cancellation of lincences of their two colleagues.

Fourteen pilots went on strike following the call of their union, namely PALPA, after the Civil Aviation Authority cancelled the licences of Capt I Kaleem and Capt Zahid over alleged unlawful flight operation.
The pilots’ protest compelled the PIA to cancel more than three dozen international and domestic flights, leaving passengers, including haj pilgrims in, in lurch. PALPA President Capt Amir Hashmi raised demand for reinstatement their colleagues and removal of the flight operations director.
Passengers have been making a litany of complaints but both the union and administration of PIA have got engaged in blame game.
A spokesman for PIA blamed the mess on the PALPA, saying that the union had been cashing in on the situation.
Due to this irresponsible attitude of PALPA at a crucial time, haj flight schedule was also affected, he said adding that injured pilgrims were among the stranded passengers.
He said that PIA management is constantly engaged with PALPA to amicably resolve the matter at the earliest. The PIA appealed to passengers to contact to its call center for inquiry.
The PALPA president, however, alleged the PIA admin was responsible for the chaos and stood firm on the union’s demands.