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| April 21, 2003 | Monday | Safar 18, 1424 |
PIA begins probe against pilot
RAWALPINDI, April 20: The Pakistan International Airline has started an inquiry against one of its pilots who allegedly helped an international passenger bypass the immigration checks at Islamabad airport, a source said on Sunday.
The Karachi-based pilot had come to Islamabad to help the passenger, posing him as his cousin, for checking in for a London flight (PK-785) on Saturday, said the source.
The passenger, who seemed to be an Afghan national, had been cleared by the immigration authorities - apparently on the pilot’s assistance - but was stopped from proceeding after he was spotted acting suspiciously while leaving the international departure lounge, the source added.
The passenger was taken into custody after his failure to disclose the pilot’s name. After the incident, the pilot, identified as Mr S.M who was not supposed to enter the lounge, was also questioned. An inquiry against the pilot (a contractual employee) has been started and he is likely to record his statement before the PIA top authorities on Monday.
Preliminary investigation suggested that the pilot had close relations with a Rawalpindi-based travelling agent and had been seen on a number of occasions assisting international passengers.
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