USE FOR FORCE AGAINST PIA EMPLOYEES IS REPREHENSIBLE: ALTAF HUSSAIN

LONDON: 11^TH FEBRUARY 2011 

Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Mr Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the torture of PIA employees at Karachi Airport at the hands of police and other persons. Condemning the uncalled-for baton charge and arrests Mr Altaf Hussain said that the PIA pilots, airhostesses, engineers and other staff members were protesting in a peaceful manner in order to press for their demands which was their legal and constitutional rights. He said that the manner in which the brute force was used by the PIA administration to disperse the peaceful employees was worthy of being condemned in strongest possible terms. He regretted that even aged employees and women were not spared and were manhandled and tortured the police and some other persons.

Mr Altaf Hussain made it clear that violence and use of force was not in the interest of the PIA and against the norms of democracy. He said that instead of using force attempt should have been made to resolve the issue through dialogues. He demanded of President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani immediate notice of the use of violence and brute force against the peaceful employees and take stern against the responsible persons.