PIA pilot caught at Manchester without visa

E-Paper | December 05, 2025

KARACHI: British authorities have imposed a fine of 2,000 pounds on a Pakistan International Airlines’ pilot and sent him back home after he entered the United Kingdom without a valid visa, it emerged on Sunday.

Sources said that the UK authorities had already informed the PIA that all its crew members, whether not on duty, should have a valid UK visa whenever they arrive.

The sources said that Captain Mohammad Ali Mansoob had travelled from Islamabad to Manchester on March 30 via a PIA flight (PK-701) as a non-operating captain. He had to stay in Manchester and then operate another flight to New York, they added.

They said that at Manchester airport he tried to pass the immigration counter by using the space reserved for the airline crew. However, the Border Force asked for his papers/visa, etc, and held him after finding out that he did not have a valid visa.

An official letter issued by the British Home Office to Capt Mansoob says: “You have been detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act or arrested under Paragraph 17 of Schedule 2 of that Act.”

The UK authorities also did not allow the PIA pilot to operate a scheduled PIA flight (PK-721) for New York from Manchester on April 1. Instead, he was sent back to Pakistan, the sources added.

Responding to Dawn queries, PIA spokesperson Mashhood Tajwar confirmed that the pilot had been caught in Manchester as he did not have a valid visa.

He said that it was the mistake of the pilot that he travelled without a visa so the fine would be paid by him and it would have no financial implication for the PIA.

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Aziz

Apr 07, 2014 12:35pm

If PIA had been careful and Capt. Mansoob had not tried to hoodwink the British authorities he could have avoided this "record". Surely the Americans would also deny him entry now. What did he gain by this short-sighted action? Both PIA and its staff must realise that other countries implement their laws in both letter and spirit.

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Reader

Apr 07, 2014 03:29pm

"He said that it was the mistake of the pilot that he traveled without a visa so the fine would be paid by him and it would have no financial implication for the PIA" The statement by PIA spokesman is a joke itself, no financial implications....what about prestige?

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Adnan

Apr 07, 2014 04:07pm

truly professional attitude!

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khanm

Apr 07, 2014 06:03pm

@Aziz: |The pilot was flying so high and probably he was so high thought he was flying to Pindi and winded up in England...The test of success is not what you do when you are on top. Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.

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Tanvir

Apr 07, 2014 07:28pm

Let's see if any British pilots or crew are flying into Pakistan on any airline (Emirates?) without formal visa stamps in their passports? If not they should be treated equally.

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Farhat Mansoob

Apr 07, 2014 08:08pm

I wonder how come the 'Dawn' newspaper considered this news to be highlighted in their esteemed newspaper, when the PIA-organization itself had accepted and owned its mistake and had paid the penalty to the concerned authorities, much earlier than the publication of this news here. It seems to me that it is an inimical action to malign the repute of the pilot. I would advise the news section of the newspaper to verify their information in writing from the responsible authorities before they print any material that holds disrespect and dishonor for someone.

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Farhat Mansoob

Apr 07, 2014 08:48pm

To my knowledge, PIA, itself had accepted and owned its mistake and had paid the penalty to the concerned authorities, much earlier than this publication. It seems to me that it is an inimical action to malign the repute, honor and respect of the pilot.

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Apr 07, 2014 09:09pm

Mistakes do happen. Not a big deal.

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Last Word

Apr 07, 2014 10:33pm

He must have forgotten after taking a drink or two. Can't blame him at all.

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Mohammed A. sukhear-USA

Apr 08, 2014 07:20am

I believe the pilot thought that he was in transit and did not need the British visa. It happens all the time at international airports where passengers change flights to various destinations and no visa is required in the transit country. Some European countries even allow the passengers to stay in nearby hotels at the request of the airline, if they miss the flight or the flight is cancelled/ delayed due technical/weather reasons. The British authorities should have guided him to wait in the lounge area until the next day flight or grant him a temp visa for the night. He was not a flight risk and was scheduled to fly next PIA flight o New York. Business class lounge areas are equipped with beds and showers for the overnight stay. The Pakistani government should lodge a protest with British authorities for detaining the captain, penalizing and sending him back to Pakistan. We are a member of commonwealth and this is not the way our citizens/PIA crew should be treated on British soil. I ask the British authorities, was he trying to circumvent the system and stay illegally in UK? For God's sake, he is a captain in the PIA and not a runaway kid seeking to enter UK illegally. I visited UK last year to see a friend and was shocked when the immigration officer repeatedly asked me the same question about my stay in UK. I did not like his rude behavior, I got very upset and asked him, why he is asking me the same question repeatedly. Right away he apologized and stamped my American passport. Is it their standard procedure? I don

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sabeeh omer

Apr 08, 2014 11:03am

This is the second case involving a PIA pilot in the UK. The first case related to a drunk PIA pilot (on duty) caught while trying to board a flight. How many more laurels will these PIA pilots bring to Pakistan? Disgusting!

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farhan

Apr 09, 2014 03:56pm

@Mohammed A. sukhear-USA: Dear Mohamed. Really nice to know your strong reaction for UK staff and advise for Pak Govt for strong action. I really think same to and if we react so we can be take importence otherwise mistreat. As i am also pakistani Korean but i so happy for your positive strong approach of thing as me to. Pls keep in touch.

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