Peoples Unity won Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CBA union referendum 2018 by securing 4,228 votes against Air League's 1,880 votes. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-backed Peoples Unity leader Hidayatullah Khan has been elected as President of All Pakistan PIA CBA.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s backed Insaf Front secured 78 votes. Peoples Unity's campaign was against privatization of the national flag carrier. The last referendum was held in 2013 in which Air League had won. People's Unity celebrated their victory and distributed sweets.
Senate Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla congratulated the office-bearers, workers and the people on their victory. He said that the success of People's Unity is the victory of laborers. "The PPP will not let anyone privatize the PIA," he said. The polling was started on April 9. Workers from across the country participated in the election.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended felicitations to the Peoples Unity of PIA on the splendid victory in the national airline referendum. In a congratulation message to the Peoples Unity leaders Hidayatullah Khan and others, the PPP chairman said, "So proud of Peoples' Unity for our victory in PIA referendum. Its time to put the people first."
He said that workers and laborers have again proved that PPP is their only representative party and working class has defeated exploitative system of Sharif brothers.