Airline staff abandon Pakistan strike after boss quits

Employees of Pakistan's state airline last night called off a four-day strike that crippled air travel in the country after the resignation of the top company official.

The leader of the employee union for Pakistan International Airlines says their main demand was the resignation of the company's managing director. The official submitted his resignation last night, prompting celebration among the strikers.

The strike grounded more than 200 flights. It left thousands of passengers stranded and raised concerns that a prolonged stand-off could spark serious unrest.

Ealrier, in the southern city of Karachi, police charged toward striking workers, clubbing some before all dispersed. One man crouched on the floor cradling a bloody nose.

A spokesman for the airline said police had to drive the strikers out of Karachi airport so that those willing to work could do so. "Now that the police have cleared them from the airport, we hope to resume operations," Mashhood Tajwar said.

PIA is Pakistan's largest carrier and the main operator of domestic flights. At least 250 domestic and international flights were cancelled during the strike, which began on Tuesday.

Pilots and support staff walked out over a proposal to have the struggling carrier share routes with Turkish Airlines.

PIA managers say the route-sharing will reduce financial losses, but strikers feared it would lead to job and pay cuts.