(Karachi) Information Minister Shibli Faraz has said that 28 pilots of Pakistan International Airlines possessing "dubious" licenses have been dismissed from service.

Addressing a media briefing after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he said action has been initiated against officials of PIA and Civil Aviation Authority, responsible for issuing fake licenses.

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

The minister maintained, "Those pilots whose licenses were found suspicious in the inquiry have all been grounded." He stated that all stakeholders, both domestic and international, have been informed of the action.

He said criminal proceedings are being initiated against such pilots.

Faraz pointed out that all fake and dubious licenses were issued during the tenure of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz from 2010 to 2018. "It is evident they corrupted the system to do so."

On June 26, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan transpired the number of pilots who possess "dubious licenses" is around 262 which include 141 of the national flag carrier.

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.

PIA to ground a third of pilots over 'dubious' licences

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.

He revealed that 121 pilots failed to clear one paper while 39 pilots gave bogus papers and did not appear in any exam.