Entertainment
Multiple flights cancelled as PIA-engineers dispute enters sixth day
- International flights from Abu Dhabi, Dubai affected.
- Nine PIA flights cancelled, 18 others delayed.
- Air League, Officers’ Association supports engineers.
KARACHI: Multiple flights of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were cancelled and several others delayed as the dispute between the national carrier and its engineering staff entered its sixth day, sources said on Sunday.
The issue stems from the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan’s (SAEP) protest over work conditions and safety-related grievances.
As of 5pm, PIA had cancelled nine flights and delayed 18 others due to technical issues and the unavailability of spare parts.
The cancelled international flights included those from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar, Dubai to Karachi, and Faisalabad to Dubai.
PIA flights from Dubai to Faisalabad and Peshawar to Dubai also faced cancellation.
Domestic cancellations included flights between Gilgit and Islamabad, as well as Skardu and Islamabad in both directions.
The dispute also resulted in 18 domestic and international flights experiencing delays of up to ten hours.
The stalemate between the PIA management and its engineering staff worsened last week after the national carrier dismissed the president and secretary general of the SAEP.
A November 6 notification announced the two officials’ dismissal after they failed to appear for personal hearings on November 4 and 5 before the airline’s chief executive officer.
Meanwhile, the Air League, a labour representative union, and the Officers’ Association announced support for the aircraft engineers.
In a joint statement, they condemned the dismissal of the SAEP officials, calling it a “blatant example” of “retaliatory action”.
Air League President Shamim Akmal noted that PIA was going through a sensitive period amid long-standing issues of “corruption and financial mismanagement”.
However, he said that raising concerns for passengers’ safety has now been treated as a punishable act.
The Officers’ Association demanded the immediate reinstatement of SEAP officials, while urging the PIA management to resolve issues through dialogue.
PIA management had accused the aircraft engineers’ body of attempting to “sabotage the airline’s privatisation”.
Last week, a PIA spokesperson said that the SAEP’s move to walk off the job after raising a “safety issue” was a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations and pressure the administration.
Bryan Cranston has delivered a sharp dig at Shia LaBeouf after his Malcolm in the Middle co-star Frankie Muniz revealed he had been set to star in Holes before dropping out, with Cranston’s advice to LaBeouf cutting right to the point.
In a new Esquire video interview, Muniz, 40, told Cranston he had been attached to play the lead role of Stanley Yelnats in Disney’s 2003 film before a competing offer arrived.
“I was signed to be in the movie Holes, and it was 100% about to start filming and then Cody Banks was greenlit,” he explained.
“They were like, ‘Which one do you want to do?'” Muniz chose Agent Cody Banks, despite pressure from those around him to take the more dramatic role.
LaBeouf stepped in and the rest is history, Holes helped launch his career.
Muniz was reflective about the road not taken.
“I wonder what my career or life would’ve been [had I done Holes instead]. What could’ve come with it? Would I have been taken more seriously as an actor?”
Cranston’s response was instant.
“You could’ve had Shia LaBeouf’s life,” he said with a sarcastic scoff and a whistle, before adding: “Keep that one in. Shia, get some help!”
The comment lands with weight given LaBeouf’s recent history.
Just last month, the actor was arrested in New Orleans after getting into a fight during Mardi Gras. LaBeouf’s troubles predate the New Orleans incident.
He was court-ordered to attend rehab following a 2017 arrest in Georgia for public intoxication, and a lawsuit filed against him by FKA Twigs alleging sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress was settled last July.
Muniz, meanwhile, appears to have made peace with his decision, noting that his path led him back to Malcolm in the Middle and, eventually, a very different kind of life as a NASCAR driver.
Khloé Kardashian opened up about her single life and said she feels really happy and at peace on her own.
The reality star, who split from Tristan Thompson in 2021, spoke on her podcast Khloe in Wonder Land and shared that she is not in any rush to date again.
Khloé shared that life feels much calmer now and she is focused more on herself and her children.
The mother of two went on to open up about her past relationships and shared that she does not miss the stress that came with them, explaining things feel safer and lighter for her now.
She continued adding that she would rather put her energy into her kids and work instead of thinking about dating.
The Kardashians star also mentioned that her health and routine have improved since being single, sharing she sleeps better and feels more fresh and balanced in her day to day life.
Kim Kardashian sister then said that her children, True and Tatum, are her biggest focus and she also enjoys growing her business projects.
Khloé Kardashian concluded saying that she is simply enjoying her life as it is right now and is not really thinking about relationships.
For her, this phase feels peaceful and enough on its own.
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