The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has noted that the verification process of the pilot’s licenses conducted by the Aviation Division is dubious. This indicates that the information that 262 pilot licenses are fake is also false.
Back in June, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, during his report of the May 22 2020 PIA plane crash in Model Colony, disclosed that 262 of the country’s 860 pilots had fake credentials. Therefore, the 262 pilots will be grounded.
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On Tuesday, the Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed by a pilot, Syed Saqlain Akhter, against his dismissal.
The Chief Justice remarked, “Now, accountability is also necessary. Someone has to be held responsible as this has done a lot of damage to the country’s image.”
While speaking sternly with the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) lawyer, the Chief Justice said,
Such statements have damaged the image of the country. The way the issue of pilots’ licenses was handled is very disappointing. The national airline’s service has been suspended, and our overseas pilots have been affected.
Back in November, Flight Lieutenant (Retd), Khaqan Murtaza, was appointed as the permanent Director-General of the CAA.
Advocate High Court, Zeeshan Hashmi, appeared before the court on behalf of the pilot. He explained to that court that his client has been wrongfully accused of obtaining a fake license.
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He implored the court to declare the notice of cancellation of license on July 14 and dismissal on July 21 as null and void.
The lawyer revealed that the CAA secretary formed a Board of Inquiry. The court inquired if the whole matter was initiated by that board.
The Chief Justice remarked,
Where is it written in the law that the federal government can give an additional charge of DG to the secretary? The secretary, considering himself a DG, issued the notice. The appointment of a secretary as an additional DG is against the law. Under which law was the Board of Inquiry constituted by the secretary.
The court has directed the pilot to come forward with further arguments while the hearing has been adjourned till Dec 17.
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See how this Government’s Irresponsible statements have now Costed us total BAN in EU and many parts of the world