Advertisement

Pakistan pilots’ union denies allegation that licences were obtained by fraud

Click to play video: 'Pakistan grounds 262 airline pilots with ‘dubious’ credentials'
Pakistan grounds 262 airline pilots with ‘dubious’ credentials
WATCH ABOVE: Pakistan grounds 262 airline pilots with 'dubious' credentials – Jun 26, 2020

KARACHI, Pakistan — A union of Pakistani pilots fired back Saturday at the country’s aviation minister after he claimed that as many as 262 pilots working for state-run Pakistan International Airlines and other airlines obtained their pilot licenses by having others take exams for them.

Capt. Chaudhry Salman, head of the Pakistan Airline Pilots’ Association, told a news conference in Karachi that claims by aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan were false. Karachi is where a PIA plane crashed last month killing 97 people.

“There is no truth in these allegations,” he said.

Salman acknowledged that 141 of his fellow pilots had been grounded by PIA a day earlier but said the pilots accused of obtaining “fake pilot licenses” were ready to defend themselves in any forum.

Story continues below advertisement

Salman’s comments came a day after Khan fired five aviation officials for their alleged involvement in a scandal in which pilot licences were allegedly awarded to people who had others take their exams. Khan said 141 PIA pilots whose licenses were tainted will not be allowed to fly.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The allegations of cheating to obtain pilot licenses in Pakistan come in the wake of the May 22 crash of a PIA Airbus A320 in a residential area near Jinnah International Airport. There were only two survivors and a girl died on the ground.

Click to play video: 'Voice recorder recovered from Pakistan air disaster'
Voice recorder recovered from Pakistan air disaster

Salman’s comments come days after Khan presented preliminary findings of an investigation into the A320 crash to Parliament. Khan on Wednesday told lawmakers that 262 out of 860 Pakistani pilots had “fake” licenses.

READ MORE: Pakistani airliner with 98 aboard crashes in crowded neighbourhood in Karachi

Story continues below advertisement

He said out of these 262 pilots, 141 worked for PIA and the remainder were flying planes for private airline companies.

The government has not said whether the pilot and co-pilot of the doomed Karachi flight had tainted licenses. It only said the two pilots were medically fit and experienced, while investigators say human error was behind the crash.

Click to play video: 'Dozens killed after plane crashes into homes in Pakistan'
Dozens killed after plane crashes into homes in Pakistan

Salman said 39 pilots out of the 262 accused of obtaining fake pilot licenses had either died or retired years ago. He said the validity of the licenses and degrees of the pilot and co-plot who were flying the doomed flight PK-8303 were beyond any doubt.

Salman revealed that an investigation into the alleged “fake licenses” of scores of pilots had started two years ago and had not been completed when the crash took place and Khan levelled baseless allegations against them.

Story continues below advertisement

He requested the country’s judiciary appoint an independent commission to probe allegations against the pilots.

Sponsored content

AdChoices