Pakistani pilots don't want to stay in top hotels

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pilots from Pakistan's national airline said on Thursday they do not want to stay in the country's top hotels after the Pearl Continental Hotel was bombed in the city of Peshawar.

A senior Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilot was among nine people killed on Tuesday when militants forced their way through the hotel gate and a suicide truck-bomber drove up and set off his explosives.

Two PIA cabin crew members were wounded in the attack on Peshawar's top hotel.

"Everyone wants to stay at a good hotel but life is more important," said a PIA pilot who declined to be identified. "I want to stay away from all high-profile hotels in Pakistan as they're not safe."

One of the two top hotels in the capital, Islamabad, was bombed in September and 55 people were killed.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association said his members wanted to say in low-key, downmarket accommodation.

"All around Pakistan, wherever we go, PIA can arrange rest houses for us," said the spokesman.