PIA Seeks Permission to Hire Staff

LAHORE, March 13: The PIA has asked the government to lift ban on the recruitment of cabin crew and other technical staff to meet the shortage.

The federal government has imposed the ban on any recruitment in the national airlines as it is taking measures for its restructuring.

The PIA on the other hand has completed the selection process of the cabin crew at different stations and also apprentice technicians but is not issuing them appointment letters because of the ban. The PIA is facing problems in its smooth operation because of the ban which is expected be lifted by March 31.

“I had taken interview for the post of airhostess over a month ago but I have not been informed about its status. A PIA official told me that I have been selected but due to ‘unannounced’ ban the appointment letter is not being issued to me,” a candidate from Lahore told Dawn.

Similarly, a candidate for apprentice technician said that he appeared in the interview after passing the written exam last month but he was still awaiting the result.

“The PIA through Ministry of Defense has written to the government to lift the ban on the hiring of cabin crew and other technical staff other than general employment,” PIA spokesman Sultan Hasan told Dawn.

He however expressed ignorance about the government’s plan to lift the ban on March 31.

“We hope the government will lift the ban soon to address the issue,” he said.

Source: DAWN