09 February 2005	Wednesday	29 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Feb 8: The Pakistan International Airline has grounded a pilot who was arrested at the Manchester Airport on Saturday on suspicion of being drunk.

A spokesman for the national carrier told Dawn that the inquiry into the matter was in progress and if the charge was established, action would be taken against the pilot, who had also served as general manager (sports) in the airline during the last PPP-led government.

According to reports, the Manchester police went into the cockpit of the Being 747 and arrested the pilot a little before take-off of the Lahore flight PK-716. He was breathalysed and was found to be over the limit.

Under per international aviation rules, a pilot is not allowed to fly if he or she has more than 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in the system. The rules ban pilots from consuming alcohol in eight hours before reporting for duty.

The reports also said police acted on information that the pilot had been seen drinking at a nearby hotel. He was taken to a police station where his blood sample was taken. Later, he was released on bail till March 24.