Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Nov 05, 2025
An undated image of PIA aircraft. — Getty Images
The suspension of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights has remained intact for the second day, as aircraft engineers have maintained their protest against unreliable safety protocols.
On Tuesday, numerous PIA flights were delayed or cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports, particularly in Karachi.
The disruption was driven by the aircraft engineers halting the issuance of safety clearances, leading to several aircraft being grounded.
After 8:00pm on Monday, no international flights were permitted to depart, and the situation worsened with over 55 flights affected by delays and cancellations. Several international flights are among those cancelled or delayed.
Contrary to the widely disseminated impression since the outset of the purported protest, the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) stated that the engineers are not on strike; instead, they are only clearing aircraft deemed fit to fly.
The engineers have been protesting peacefully for two and a half months, wearing black armbands to highlight their demands, which include an appraisal that has not been granted in eight years. In response, PIA management has started taking action against the engineers and has transferred some to Karachi.
A PIA spokesperson claimed that the engineers' actions are aimed at sabotaging the airline's privatisation efforts, adding that the protest violates the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, making strikes illegal.
