People’s Unity protests near Bilawal House against PIA Privatisation

A large number of workers affiliated with People’s Unity staged a protest sit-in at Bilawal House Chowrangi, holding banners against the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Speaking to the media, People’s Unity President Hidayatullah Khan said the group had already clarified during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club that they were not opposing reform but were prepared to purchase the airline themselves instead of allowing its privatisation.

He stated that the protesters had come to Bilawal House to convey their concerns directly to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, describing themselves as loyal party workers.

He said the privatisation could be stopped if Bilawal Bhutto intervened and demanded assurances for PIA employees’ jobs and pensions.

Hidayatullah Khan added that other PIA workers’ organisations had also been invited to join the protest.

He claimed that divisions had emerged within the bidding consortium, with one consortium already withdrawing from the privatisation process, while the remaining bidders were reportedly not in agreement.

He further alleged that despite permission being granted to privatise PIA at a valuation of Rs100 billion, attempts were being made to sell the national airline for only Rs7.5 billion.

The protest leaders also warned that legal action would be pursued, including approaching the International Court of Justice, and alleged that neither Parliament nor the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had approved the privatisation.

The protesters said they had presented their demands to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and expressed hope that the privatisation process would be halted. They warned that if privatisation proceeds, the scope of their protest would be expanded.