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.