Airline sacks SAEP president Abdullah Khan Jadun and general secretary Owais Khan after inquiry
Pakistan International Airlines has dismissed the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan President Abdullah Khan Jadun and Secretary General Owais Khan Jadun amid an ongoing dispute that has already disrupted flight operations across the country.
According to the official letters, both the officials had been offered personal hearings on November 4 and 5 as part of an inquiry to be initiated in 2024. However, the airline stated that neither of them appeared before the PIA managing director for the hearing. The inquiry ultimately recommended their dismissal under relevant PIA rules.
Jadun said the decision would be challenged in court and insisted the necessary documentation was available to challenge the termination. The national flag carrier linked the dismissals to what it described as technical faults in aircraft and breaches of operational procedures. PIA claimed that the refusal to clear aircraft deemed technically unfit had contributed to the dispute.
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For several days, SAEP members have protested against management, leading to widespread disruption to flight operations, including dozens of delays and cancellations. The engineers have demanded pay rises – which they say have been frozen for eight years – timely delivery of aircraft spare parts and what they describe as a stress-free working environment.
SAEP has maintained that it will not compromise flight safety or operational standards. “We will not give in to management pressure and will not clear aircraft unless they are fully airworthy,” the association has stated.
During the protest, PIA engaged engineers from a private firm to support routine operations, but they struggled to manage the workload, resulting in further delays. The conflict between the airline and its engineers is still unresolved.
