40% pilots in Pakistan have ‘fake’ flying licences, says aviation minister

[pak-marine]

Plane crash: Around 40% pilots in Pakistan have ‘fake’ flying licences, says aviation minister

At least 262 out of the total 860 active pilots in the country did not give proper exams

Published: June 24, 2020 16:16Ashfaq Ahmed, Assistant Editor
Photos: Pakistan International Airlines plane from Lahore crashes in Karachi

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Dubai: Around 40 per cent of the pilots in Pakistan have fake flying licences, said the Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar.

Sarwar revealed the startling news about the ‘fake’ pilots while presenting a provisional inquiry report in the National Assembly of Pakistan about the recent PIA plane crash in Karachi.

“Pakistan has 860 active pilots, which includes PIA, Serene Air and Air Blue pilots as well. The inquiry which was initiated in February 2019 showed that 262 pilots did not give the exam themselves and asked someone else to sit for exam on their behalf,” the minister said. He said they have found out during the investigations that pilots with ‘fake’ licences did not even have proper flying experience. The 40 per cent 'fake' licence holders also include hundreds of pilots who are not 'active flyers.'



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Sarwar further revealed: “Pilots were also appointed on political basis, unfortunately. Merit was ignored while appointing pilots,” he added. He said that degrees of at least four PIA pilots had also been found to be fake, Pakistan media reported.

He said that an inquiry has been initiated in this regard, and showcause notices have been issued to 54 pilots. “Some of the pilots have also challenged these notices in court. So far, at least nine pilots have confessed to holding fake degrees,” he claimed.

In his provisional report, the minister held pilots and the air control tower responsible for causing the PIA plane crash in Karachi. The PIA flight PK8303, carrying 99 people including eight crew members, crashed into a densely populated residential area near Karachi airport on May 22. Two people survived the crash while 97 passengers lost their lives.

 

[pak-marine]

Not surprised why PIA is in so much mess 40% pilot licenses fake .. disgusting low standards are widely practiced in and out of all organisations in this country be it any Idara .. sab jaali hai idher

 

[Trango Towers]

Well minister if you know this...why are they all nit fired and jailed and money recuperate?
The minister should be held accountable

 

[KediKesenFare3]

If true, this is madness. We're not talking about a fake car license. The minister is publicly killing PIA...
No one in the Western world and East Asia will ever fly (again) with PIA knowing that the pilot could be an imposter.

 

[fitpOsitive]

Plane crash: Around 40% pilots in Pakistan have ‘fake’ flying licences, says aviation minister

At least 262 out of the total 860 active pilots in the country did not give proper exams

Published: June 24, 2020 16:16Ashfaq Ahmed, Assistant Editor
Photos: Pakistan International Airlines plane from Lahore crashes in Karachi

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• Plastic keeps COVID-19, not love away from Spain nursing home

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• New York City set to crackdown on illegal fireworks spree

Dubai: Around 40 per cent of the pilots in Pakistan have fake flying licences, said the Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar.

Sarwar revealed the startling news about the ‘fake’ pilots while presenting a provisional inquiry report in the National Assembly of Pakistan about the recent PIA plane crash in Karachi.

“Pakistan has 860 active pilots, which includes PIA, Serene Air and Air Blue pilots as well. The inquiry which was initiated in February 2019 showed that 262 pilots did not give the exam themselves and asked someone else to sit for exam on their behalf,” the minister said. He said they have found out during the investigations that pilots with ‘fake’ licences did not even have proper flying experience. The 40 per cent 'fake' licence holders also include hundreds of pilots who are not 'active flyers.'



ALSO READ

• PIA plane crash: Pilots were discussing coronavirus and lacked focus
• PIA plane crash in Karachi was due to human error, report says

Sarwar further revealed: “Pilots were also appointed on political basis, unfortunately. Merit was ignored while appointing pilots,” he added. He said that degrees of at least four PIA pilots had also been found to be fake, Pakistan media reported.

He said that an inquiry has been initiated in this regard, and showcause notices have been issued to 54 pilots. “Some of the pilots have also challenged these notices in court. So far, at least nine pilots have confessed to holding fake degrees,” he claimed.

In his provisional report, the minister held pilots and the air control tower responsible for causing the PIA plane crash in Karachi. The PIA flight PK8303, carrying 99 people including eight crew members, crashed into a densely populated residential area near Karachi airport on May 22. Two people survived the crash while 97 passengers lost their lives.

In addition to that, seniority lists of Federal Investigation Agency was changed for promotion board.
PSQCA doesn't work anymore. So every Pakistani is eating poisonous food. And that's the reason why youth in Pakistan is getting early white hair, and women in Pakistan are becoming infertile at an alarming rate.
I belong to a family of govt officers and bureaucrats. I am telling you guys, whole of Pakistani governance system needs a change. And now. It's not just about CAA, PSQCA or FIA, it's about people, it's about Pakistan.

 

[Sabretooth]

Well minister if you know this...why are they all nit fired and jailed and money recuperate?
The minister should be held accountable

Private carriers will never take such a risk to hire incompetent people. They run a business to make money.

Almost all of the 40 % are in PIA I am sure.

Now firing a government employee in Pakistan is impossible. Sure you could suspend them and they sit at homes pending an inquiry but the minute a new government takes charge they file a case in court and get their jobs back. Not only that but are reimbursed for all the arrears (Salaries, allowances, promotions etc.) Such nasty is our bureaucratic system.

Now tell me, who is going to take their jobs seriously when there is no fear of serious repercussions?

 

[razgriz19]

This is criminal! But this being Pakistan, the haramkhor government and the people will let it go as if it's nothing.

 

[Hiraa]

People had to die for PIA to take this action. What was the CEO doing? Why the delay im accountability? Which high court, assembly or policy was stopping him before to take this action?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1276054662815395840

 

[Trango Towers]

Private carriers will never take such a risk to hire incompetent people. They run a business to make money.

Almost all of the 40 % are in PIA I am sure.

Now firing a government employee in Pakistan is impossible. Sure you could suspend them and they sit at homes pending an inquiry but the minute a new government takes charge they file a case in court and get their jobs back. Not only that but are reimbursed for all the arrears (Salaries, allowances, promotions etc.) Such nasty is our bureaucratic system.

Now tell me, who is going to take their jobs seriously when there is no fear of serious repercussions?

There lies the problem...it should be easy to fire a government employee just as it is in a private company.

People had to die for PIA to take this action. What was the CEO doing? Why the delay im accountability? Which high court, assembly or policy was stopping him before to take this action?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1276054662815395840

Why does it have so many pilots for such a small fleet?

 

[Morpheus]

People had to die for PIA to take this action. What was the CEO doing? Why the delay im accountability? Which high court, assembly or policy was stopping him before to take this action?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1276054662815395840

Unions. Old gov got these pilots jobs in return of votes. Unions made sure it was impossible to fire/retire/side line them. Unions + Judiciary working together to make sure previous gov still have control.

 

[Salman876]

Title is misleading, pilots in Pakistan also include PAF pilots. Title should mention pilots of PIA or something else

Change title

 

[scorpionx]

I once saw a Pakistani Minister (can't remember his name) saying, "degree toh degree hoti hai..asli ho ya nakli"..perhaps these pilots took his statement very seriously

 

[Syed1.]

This is criminal! But this being Pakistan, the haramkhor government and the people will let it go as if it's nothing.

Before abusing it would have better that you educate yourself. This "haramkhor" government did not induct these pilots - previous governments did. The "haramkhor" government has stopped all these pilots from flying and immediately grounded them. So the question is, is the government "haramkhor" or you?

 

[pak-marine]

In addition to that, seniority lists of Federal Investigation Agency was changed for promotion board.
PSQCA doesn't work anymore. So every Pakistani is eating poisonous food. And that's the reason why youth in Pakistan is getting early white hair, and women in Pakistan are becoming infertile at an alarming rate.
I belong to a family of govt officers and bureaucrats. I am telling you guys, whole of Pakistani governance system needs a change. And now. It's not just about CAA, PSQCA or FIA, it's about people, it's about Pakistan.

Fortunately for the rest of them they have to deal with local or fedral governments Where’s in jali pilots PIA services could be seriously distrupted and entire airline can come under airline watch dogs like IATA scrutiny

 

[Salman876]

Before abusing it would have better that you educate yourself. This "haramkhor" government did not induct these pilots - previous governments did. The "haramkhor" government has stopped all these pilots from flying and immediately grounded them. So the question is, is the government "haramkhor" or you?

Actually Pakistani nation is haramkhor, flour shortage again