Why Are Pakistan Airlines Engineers Protesting Over Unfair Treatment and Safety Issues?
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Synopsis
Engineers at Pakistan International Airlines have protested for a year over unfair treatment and safety concerns, leading to significant flight disruptions. With salary disparities and safety risks at the forefront, the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan is taking a stand for their rights amid ongoing privatization efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Engineers at PIA have protested over salary disparities.
- Safety concerns due to old aircraft parts being reused.
- Protests have led to significant flight disruptions.
- SAEP intends to take legal action regarding employee dismissals.
- The Pakistan government aims to privatize PIA.
Islamabad, Nov 10 (NationPress) For nearly a year, engineers employed by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), represented by the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP), have been vocal about their grievances regarding perceived unfair treatment and serious safety issues within the airline. Recently, these concerns escalated into a protest, leading to significant disruptions in flight schedules and the suspension of several SAEP officials.
On November 3, the aircraft engineers took a stand by withholding clearance certificates for aircraft, which left hundreds of passengers stranded at various airports due to prolonged delays, especially for flights headed to Saudi Arabia, as reported by Pakistan's prominent daily, Dawn.
SAEP representatives highlighted two primary issues driving the protest: salary inequalities and the lack of safety due to unavailability of spare parts. They pointed out that while pilots enjoy salary increases, engineers' wages have remained stagnant. Furthermore, engineers are frequently instructed to reuse outdated aircraft components instead of receiving new replacements, a practice they assert jeopardizes passenger safety.
For the past two months, engineers have been donning black ribbons as a symbolic protest against their low pay. The situation escalated on November 3 when PIA flights in Pakistan experienced chaos after the engineers refused to grant clearance for takeoff, asserting their commitment to ensuring travel safety.
In an official statement, PIA characterized the protests as actions from a “de-recognized entity”, claiming that SAEP attempted to disrupt operations to pressure management in their alleged efforts to sabotage the privatization process.
In the meantime, SAEP President Abdullah Jadoon and Secretary General Awais Jadoon were reportedly dismissed from their positions, according to Dawn. The SAEP has announced intentions to pursue legal action regarding these terminations.
The Pakistan government is currently seeking to privatize the struggling national airline, which has incurred losses exceeding USD 2.5 billion over the last decade. In June, authorities received interest from five potential buyers, including business consortiums and a military-owned enterprise.
Point of View
The ongoing protests by engineers at Pakistan International Airlines highlight critical issues of employee treatment and public safety. It’s essential for the management to address these concerns seriously to maintain trust and ensure safe travel for passengers. The airline's future hinges on resolving these matters effectively.
NationPress
12/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main issues raised by the engineers?
The engineers are primarily concerned about salary disparities and safety issues due to the unavailability of spare parts.
What actions did the engineers take to protest?
On November 3, they refused to issue clearance certificates for aircraft, leading to significant flight delays.
How has the airline management responded to the protests?
PIA has characterized SAEP as a de-recognized entity and accused them of attempting to sabotage operations.
What is the current status of the airline's privatization?
The Pakistani government is actively seeking to privatize PIA, which has incurred substantial losses over the years.
What legal actions are being considered by SAEP?
SAEP plans to challenge the termination of its president and secretary general in court.
