Two Killed In Clashes At Pakistani Airport Protest

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal

February 02, 2016

Two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees were killed and several others wounded at Karachi's international airport on February 2 when clashes broke out between security forces and PIA employees protesting privatization plans.

Sources at local hospitals confirmed the deaths, adding that 13 people, including a journalist, were wounded.

Security forces and police used tear gas and water cannons against the protesting PIA workers, who marched towards the main entrance of Karachi's Jinnah International Airport.

Gunfire was also heard, but police and security officials deny they shot at protesters.

The PIA employees' union had announced one day earlier that its plans to shut down the airline's flights after weeks of strikes against government proposals to complete the partial sale of the carrier by July.

With reporting by dawn.com and AP