Action against 262 pilots possessing 'dubious licenses' initiated, says Sarwar

(Karachi) Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said that the number of pilots who possess "dubious licenses" is around 262 which include 141 of the national flag carrier.

Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday, he said that the said pilots have been banned from flying. He said all these pilots were recruited prior to 2018. "The government also terminated five officials of aviation ministry for their involvement in the scam."

He elaborated that investigations are under way in PIA's IT department.

He stated the government initiated action against the pilots after the court took notice of the matter. "At least nine pilots out of 28 have confessed they do not possess valid flying license and failed to clear papers," he pointed out.

"At least 121 pilots failed to clear one paper while 39 pilots gave bogus papers and did not appear in any exam," he transpired. He stated in recent days four "ghost pilots" have also been terminated from the PIA.

Sarwar said that inquiry against 28 pilots have been completed and they will be issued show cause notice and charge-sheet. "The ministry is writing to the Federal Investigation Agency for criminal inquiry against them," he said.

He said that the list of the suspected pilots and aviation staff has been sent to all the airlines and related organizations. "The list of the pilots is also displayed on the website," he maintained.

The aviation minister said that people were recruited illegally and without merit in Pakistan International Airline. He said the PTI government did not recruit a single person in aviation ministry or the PIA.

"All these recruitments are from the previous governments," he pointed out.

Ghulam Sarwar said, "PIA consists of 31 aircraft and it is the aim of the government to take the number to 45 by 2023."

Earlier, the PIA said that the issue of commercial pilots possessing dubious licences was not exclusive to the national carrier.

The PIA stated that the licences were issued by the competent authority and were "valid as per their records".

"It's the process and discrepancies through which they were obtained and triggered the inquiry by the government and action," the PIA stated.