The airline dismisses SAEP president Abdullah Khan Jadun and general secretary Owais Khan after an investigation
Pakistan International Airlines has sacked Pakistan Society of Aeronautical Engineers president Abdullah Khan Jadun and general secretary Owais Khan Jadun amid an ongoing dispute that has already disrupted flight operations across the country.
According to official letters, both officials had been offered opportunities for personal hearings on November 4 and 5 as part of an investigation launched in 2024. However, the airline claimed that neither of them appeared before the PIA CEO for the hearing. The inquiry ultimately recommended his dismissal as per relevant PIA rules.
Jadun said the decision would be challenged in court, insisting that the necessary documentation was available to challenge the dismissal. The national flag carrier has linked the layoffs to what it described as technical glitches on planes and violations of operating procedures. The PIA claimed that the refusal to authorize aircraft deemed technically unfit had contributed to the conflict.
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For several days now, SAEP members have been protesting against the direction, which has caused widespread disruptions to flight operations, including dozens of delays and cancellations. The engineers have demanded salary increases (which they say have remained frozen for eight years), the timely supply of aircraft parts and what they describe as a stress-free work environment.
SAEP has maintained that it will not compromise aircraft safety or operating standards. “We will not bow to management pressure and will not authorize aircraft unless they are fully airworthy,” the association said.
During the protest, PIA hired engineers from a private company to support routine operations, but they struggled to manage the workload, causing further delays. The confrontation between the airline and its engineering staff remains unresolved.
