RAWALPINDI: The Senate Sub-Committee on Aviation stressed upon the need of finding a solution to the pilots’ licences issue that would not damage the standing of the agencies concerned and produce a result that would not endanger the careers of pilots involved.

The Senate Sub Committee on Aviation held a meeting on Thursday at the Parliament House, Islamabad to examine and recommend resolution of issues regarding pilots’ licences.

The meeting was convened by Senator Saleem Mandviwala and attended by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman and senior officers from the Ministry of Aviation along with all concerned. Former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan had revealed on the parliament floor in 2020 that investigations found that more than 260 of the country’s 860 active pilots had either fake licences or cheated in the exam.

Referring to the former aviation minister’s statement about fake pilot licences, Senator Saleem Mandviwala said in the last meeting that there were no fake pilots in Pakistan.

While expressing concern towards the pilots’ licences issue that created international uproar, and decimated the reputation of Pakistan’s aviation industry, the sub-committee probed the matter in terms of how this could be termed a criminal offence.

The committee was informed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that the matter involved money trails that had led it to becoming a criminal offence.

The committee stressed the need for a way out that would not compromise the reputation of agencies involved and lead to an outcome that would not risk careers of pilots involved. It was asserted that fine as well as exam retakes were ways in which this issue could be addressed. Regarding those that have been part of the money trail, however, the committee stressed that the law must take its course.

A representative from the FIA informed the committee that the matter could be re-investigated if needed; the best option would be to wait until the court hearing on the June 6, 2023. Members emphasised on the need for finding a solution that would not damage the standing of the agencies concerned and produce a result that would not endanger the careers of pilots involved.

Meanwhile, Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday held a meeting with Malaysian High Commissioner Mohammad Azhar Mazlan at his office. A spokesperson for the Aviation division said that the aviation minister and Malaysian High Commissioner discussed the issues of mutual interest and enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the aviation sector.

British Deputy High Commissioner Zoe Ware called on Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique at the Ministry of Aviation on Thursday.

Both officials discussed recent issues of aviation as the latter assured full cooperation in resolving problems.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2023