Islamabad/Karachi(The COW News Digital) National airline operations across Pakistan were brought to a standstill as aircraft engineers launched a protest, withholding clearance for flights and disrupting both domestic and international schedules. The move comes amid a prolonged dispute between the engineers and the airline’s management over working conditions, salaries, and operational safety.
According to sources, international flights have been grounded since 8 p.m. Monday, affecting at least 12 flights, with passengers — including a significant number of Umrah pilgrims — facing severe inconvenience. The engineers, represented by the Society of Aircraft Engineers, stated that they would continue their protest until the airline’s CEO addressed their concerns, refusing to clear aircraft for takeoff under current conditions.
The engineers’ grievances include unpaid salary increments for eight years, a shortage of spare parts, and alleged pressure from management to authorize flights in violation of safety regulations. Over the past two and a half months, engineers have conducted a peaceful protest while wearing black armbands during duty, signaling their dissatisfaction with management’s unresponsiveness.
The Society emphasized that compromising safety under administrative pressure would endanger passengers’ lives, and they will not allow such practices. “We cannot risk the lives of passengers for operational convenience,” said a spokesperson.
In response, the CEO of the national airline ordered strict disciplinary action against the engineers responsible for halting operations. Meanwhile, an airline spokesperson claimed that the engineers’ society lacks legal recognition and accused the protest of attempting to sabotage the airline’s privatization efforts. They described the simultaneous work stoppage under the pretext of safety as a deliberate plot to inconvenience passengers and pressure the administration.
Under the Essential Services Act, strikes or work stoppages in critical sectors are considered illegal, and authorities warned that legal action would be taken against those involved. The airline is also arranging alternative engineering services from other carriers to resume operations as quickly as possible.
Authorities confirmed that Pakistan may temporarily close certain airspace segments over the next two days to manage disrupted operations and ensure flight safety.
Travelers are advised to stay in touch with the airline for updates on flight rescheduling and operational status. Airline officials assured that all necessary steps are being taken to resume flights and restore normal service.
The protest highlights ongoing labor tensions in Pakistan’s aviation sector and the need for effective dialogue between management and technical staff to maintain safety standards while ensuring operational continuity.
