The Pakistan government has invoked the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952 in a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted airline operations. The act grants Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) authority to take punitive measures against employees who defy lawful directives, as reported by ARY News.
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Rawalpindi: In order to ensure uninterrupted airline operations, the Pakistan government has implemented the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, which grants Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) authority to take punitive actions against employees who ignore lawful directives, as reported by ARY News. The imposition of the act is effective for a period of sex months, according to official notification. Under the act, if employee found ignoring the lawful orders issued during the course of their employment will face disciplinary action.
Furthermore, the act extends to employees who, without reasonable justification, abandon their duties, absent themselves from work, refuse to perform assigned tasks, or depart from designated work areas specified in official orders, without prior consent from the appropriate authority.
According to the notification, individuals found guilty of violating this act are subject to imprisonment for a term extending up to one year, in addition to potential fines, according to ARY News.
This development comes on the heels of earlier reports in May, indicating progress in the privatisation process of PIA. Eight companies submitted bids by the May 17 deadline for expressions of interest in the privatisation of the national carrier.
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Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the pre-qualification process for potential bidders is slated to commence imminently. Shortlisted companies will receive detailed information about PIA during this phase, with expectations for the pre-qualification process to conclude by the end of May.
The bidding process has seen proposals from numerous firms. Names in the mix include China’s Shineji Company, alongside Fly Jinnah and Airblue Limited. Other contenders are Jiri International Pvt Ltd, Younis Brothers Holdings Consortium, Pak Ethanol Consortium, and Blue World City Consortium, as per the information relayed by ARY News.
