Story Highlights
PIA Strike
Eight- day strike of Pakistan International Airlines workers, which caused loss of billions of rupees, finally ends after the Joint action Committee (JAC) of PIA employees announced to end the standoff over the proposed privatisation of the national flag carrier. At least 225 employees of PIA were served show-cause notices under Essential Service Act. Meanwhile, the PIA spokesperson also issued a statement and apologised for inconvenience caused to passengers during the last eight days. He asked the passengers to come to airports as per their flight reservations.
Moreover, PIA has also announced upto 50 percent reduction in its fares for domestic and major international flights. The decision was taken to stabilize hike in fares by other private airlines who had hiked their fares during the strike by the national carrier’s employees.
National Assembly had on January 21 passed a bill to convert the national flag carrier into a public limited company. Under the bill, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) is to be converted into a public limited company as Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL). The government plans to split the ailing PIA into two companies and sell the control of its core business to a global airline.
War Against Terror
Pakistan has been playing its part to eliminate terrorism from the region and peace talks with China, US, Afghanistan and Afghan Taliban is a part of that process. Pakistan army is also fighting terrorists in tribal region in operation Zarb-e-Azb about which Pakistan Army Chief Raheel Sharif said that Pakistan had achieved significant successes in this operation however the war being complex required steadfast and unified response.
Meanwhile according to media reports, direct peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban are expected to take place by the end of this month. This announcement came after a third round of talks between the four powers.
The first round of the roadmap talks was held in Islamabad last month, where delegates began laying the groundwork for direct dialogue between Kabul and Taliban. A second round was held in Kabul on January 18 which urged the Taliban groups to enter into early talks with the Afghan government without preconditions.
Meanwhile scattered terror activities took place in the country. This week at least 10 people, including four security personnel were killed and 23 others sustained injuries as a suicide bomber targeted a security forces’ vehicle near the premises of the heavily guarded Quetta district courts. The security convoy comprising a truck and two vehicles was on routine patrolling when a bicycle rider targeted it.
Political Landscape
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan sent his resignation to the prime minister this week, which was accepted. According to media reports Khan had tendered his resignation as he wanted to contest the 2018 general election. To contest for general election, he must resign at least two years before the election. Khan took oath as the KP governor on April 14, 2014.
Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has presented a five-point charter of demands to PML-N government, threatening to launch a country-wide protest if ruling party failed to meet the demands. The PTI chief urged the government to reduce petroleum prices, eliminate taxes on gas and power supply, improve management of national institutions and pay salaries to employees of Pakistan Steel Mills.
He also asked the government to release funds for payment to workers and employees of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and other institutions who had not received their salaries for last five months.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan wants peace in the region and does not want confrontation with India. He reiterated that the Kashmir issue should be sorted out through dialogue. He said this while addressing the joint sitting of the AJK Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council in Muzaffarabad
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