Sharif enforces 'Essential Services Act' to stall PIA union activity

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif enforced the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1952 for six months to effectively prevent protesting members of the Pakistan International Airlines(PIA) from participating in any union activity.

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The Dawn reports that any person found guilty of an offence under this act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and shall also be liable to paying a fine.

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The aviation division had sent a summary to Sharif which was approved today.

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Employees of the national carrier threatened to go on strike from Tuesday, February 2, because of what they called the government's refusal to accept their main demand of calling off the organisation's privatisation plan.

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PML-N Senator Mushahidullah asked the joint action committee of PIA employees to withdraw its decision of the strike and resume flight operations otherwise the government would use its authority and impose the Essential Services Act.