The Unsung Heroes Take a Stand: PIA Engineers Demand Justice

The low hum of discontent that began yesterday at Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) bustling head office in Karachi has, in truth, swelled into a louder, more persistent chorus today. For a second consecutive day, the dedicated engineers of PIA—the very backbone of the national carrier’s airworthiness—have downed their tools, or at least scaled back their efforts, in a poignant protest. They are making a resolute stand, seeking what they describe as fair and equitable treatment from an administration that, they feel, has consistently overlooked their contributions.

This isn't just a spontaneous outburst of frustration; no, it's a deep-seated grievance, rooted in a rather remarkable decade-old Supreme Court judgment from 2012. That ruling, you see, mandated a 25 percent special allowance for all PIA employees. A significant concession, one might argue, meant to acknowledge their crucial role. Yet, here's the rub: while other departments seemingly benefited, the engineers, through the Pakistan International Airlines Engineers’ Association (PIAEA), claim they were unfairly excluded. It's a bitter pill to swallow, to watch others receive what was promised universally, while their own pleas fall on deaf ears.

The core demands are clear, and honestly, quite straightforward: the immediate implementation of that long-overdue 25 percent special allowance. But it doesn't stop there. They're also calling for the restoration of their technical allowance—a payment, one could say, that recognizes the specialized, critical nature of their work—and, crucially, the payment of what's termed 'professional pay.' These aren't just arbitrary requests; they reflect a desire for compensation commensurate with their demanding, high-stakes responsibilities.

And the impact? Well, it's already being felt, rather keenly. With vital maintenance work undoubtedly slowed or, in some instances, completely halted, the knock-on effect has manifested as flight delays, causing inconvenience for passengers and, let's be frank, further operational headaches for an airline already navigating turbulent skies. The engineers, working tirelessly, often under immense pressure to ensure aircraft safety, feel a palpable sense of discrimination. They labor through long hours, performing critical tasks, yet perceive themselves as undervalued compared to their counterparts in other departments, who, they argue, enjoy better allowances and recognition.

What happens next, then? The PIAEA has made it abundantly clear: should their legitimate demands remain unaddressed, this protest—this earnest plea for justice—will escalate. We might very well see a 'pen down' strike, a complete cessation of their essential duties. Such an action would, without question, throw PIA’s operations into serious disarray, perhaps grounding more than just planes. It would be a stark, undeniable testament to the deep-seated frustration of a workforce pushed to its very limits, seeking only what they believe they are owed.