PAA officers threaten protest over prolonged promotion delays

ISLAMABAD: A large number of Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) officers have expressed their frustration over prolonged delays in promotions, which has taken a heavy toll on their mental health and overall performance.

Sources within the PAA said that hundreds of officers have been awaiting promotions for several years, with some waiting up to two decades for advancement.

According to the sources, this extended delay in promotions has reportedly caused low morale, demotivation, and heightened anxiety among the impacted personnel.

“The uncertainty around our career progression is severely affecting our mental health,” shared one officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We feel undervalued and unappreciated, leading to significant stress and impacting our overall well-being.”

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Delays are attributed to bureaucratic red tape, limited vacancies, and inconsistencies in promotion policies. Officers said that despite meeting eligibility criteria and demonstrating strong performance, the departmental promotion committee has not convened in a long time. Initially, promotions were held up by a court-imposed stay order, which was lifted two months ago, leaving officers questioning why promotions continue to be delayed.

“This situation is unacceptable,” said a spokesperson for the PAA Officers’ Association. “We urge the authorities to address this promptly, ensuring timely promotions and a clear, transparent policy to alleviate the stress and frustration affecting our members. Otherwise, protests will be staged at all airports, potentially disrupting airport operations.”

While PAA officials have acknowledged these concerns and assured that efforts are underway to improve the promotion process, concrete steps have yet to materialise, leaving officers uncertain about their career advancement.

As the issue persists, concerns are rising about potential repercussions on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Pakistan Airports Authority.

Acting Director of Operations Imran Khan, Lahore Airport Manager Nazir A Khan, Deputy Airport Manager Khurram Adnan Usmani, Multan Airport Manager Anwer Zia, and Karachi Airport Manager Erfan Khan and others have long been promotions, the sources said.