PIA’s JAC holds ‘successful’ meeting with Punjab CM

LAHORE: A delegation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Joint Action Committee (JAC) led by its chairman Sohail Baloch on Wednesday morning met with Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif to discuss matters pertaining to issues of PIA employees.

Speaking to media representatives later in the afternoon, Baloch declared the meeting a success saying that the chief minister had assured the delegation of his support and promised to convey their reservations to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“We are satisfied after meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as he has assured us of support and help to redress the issue,” he said.

Sohail Baloch said that they fully apprised the chief minister of their reservations and expressed confidence that he would convey the matter and the reservations to the prime minister.

The chief minister has also taken notice of harassment complaint of an air hostess and ordered action to arrest the culprits involved in the incident, he added.

The JAC chairman on Tuesday evening had announced the end of their two-week long strike and issued directives to the airline authorities to resume flight operations.

Addressing a press conference, Baloch said that JAC cannot remain negligent to the safety of the planes, adding that the government has also expressed its concerns regarding hardships being faced by passengers.

PIA announces reduction in fares

Meanwhile, the national flag carrier has reduced its fares on domestic and major international flights including Umrah fares with immediate effect.

The decision has been taken to stabilise unrealistic hike in fares and to facilitate its valued customers, PIA Spokesman Daniyal Gilani said in a statement issued today.

He said that fares on Karachi-Islamabad-Karachi and Karachi-Lahore-Karachi would now be starting from Rs7,500 while return tickets for Umrah would start from Rs54,500 for passengers from Lahore and Islamabad and Rs44,500 for passengers from Karachi.