Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has said that Pakistan Air Lines Pilots Association''s (Palpa) call for protest against proposed agreement between Pakistan airline, PIA, and Turkish Airlines on Tuesday was uncalled for and a bid to disturb the schedule of the national airline.
Talking to Business Recorder on Monday the Defence Minister said that negotiations between PIA and Turkish Airlines for agreement are at a very initial stage and the matter would be presented before the Federal Cabinet for approval when it reaches a concluding stage.
He said that Palpa''s protest against "just a proposal" for an agreement between PIA and Turkish Airlines makes no sense. Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar suggested to Palpa that its leaders should engage with PIA management and understand the sense and logic behind the proposed arrangement and, after having a complete picture, should make a final opinion.
He urged the employees of PIA, including the technical staff, that they should not become part of Pala''s call for protest, and should perform their duties as per schedule on Tuesday. He also denied that in case of finalisation of the proposed agreement, PIA would surrender a number of profit-making routes to Turkish Airlines and said that Pala was intentionally creating confusion to block a proposed agreement between the two airlines.
Mukhtar added that PIA management was ready to debate the proposed agreement with Palpa at any forum. "Palpa is opposing PIA agreement with Turkish Airlines just to create confusion over the issue and deprive the national airline of an arrangement which can add to its operations and subsequently in revenue in the future" the Minister said.
PIA management is not having better working relationship with Palpa on a number of issues, ranging from increase in pilots'' salaries to its relationship with the crew members. The proposed agreement between PIA and Turkish Airlines has just added to the list of differences between the two sides.