KARACHI: Arjumand Azhar Hussain — the man who reportedly filmed the video of politicians allegedly responsible for the delay of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight on September 16 — was fired from his job at Gerry's Group.

Speculation was rife on Tuesday that Hussain’s sacking was linked to the video clip he filmed that showed irate airline passengers barring Senator Rehman Malik and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) Member of National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Wakwani from boarding the PIA aircraft after facing what they said was a delay of two and a half hours.

Know more: Passengers offload Rehman Malik, PML-N MNA from flight over delay

Gerry's Group, which was Hussain's former employer took to their Facebook page to respond to rumours that the sacking was due to political influence, saying their decision was “purely based on merit”.

Explore: PIA suspends staff over delay in take-off

Rehman Malik and Ramesh Kumar Wakwani were accused of holding the plane back while other passengers waited for hours.

Malik denied that the delay had to do with him, and said that take-off was delayed due to a technical fault. PIA confirmed that the delay was due to a technical fault, but later said that there was a "further unnecessary delay" that resulted in action against PIA staff. Two employees of PIA were subsequently suspended.


Watch a part of the original video clip below.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...