Senate Committee on Aviation blasts PTI regime fake pilots drama

A report submitted by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla before the Senate Sub-Committee on Aviation, has been adopted, cleaning the mess created by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in aviation like every other sector of the country.

The report of the sub-committee on aviation was to examine and recommend the resolution of issues regarding pilots’ licenses.

The committee met on March 2023 that formed a sub-committee under sub-Rule 183 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. The committee comprises three senators including Mandviwalla as convener, Senator Sabir Shah, and Senator Faisal Saleem as members.

The first meeting of the Senate Sub-Committee on Aviation was held on May 24, 2023, in which DG CAA briefed about the fake degree of PIA, which was raised by SCP, and on CAA’s concern over fraudulent activities found in the Licensing Issuance System. The in-house report by CAA found some 262 pilots have minor and major anomalies, the DG asked the minister of aviation of the PTI regime to address the issue at the departmental level, however, the minister made a statement on the floor of the Parliament.

It was also briefed by the DG CAA that the main commitment to clear the international audit from ICAO was to separate the Regulatory and Service Providers, and the BIll is yet to be passed by the Parliament

As per the data shared by DG CAA, out of 262 pilots, 180 were cleared and 82 pilots remained. After that on SC orders, the matter was sent to the cabinet, which suspended the license of 50 pilots suspended 32. Further, on SC orders, DG CAA asked FIA to take criminal action against pilots involved in fraudulent activities, on which FIA lodged 5 FIRs against 68 pilots out of 83. Interestingly, some of them who faced FIRs were already cleared by CAA in the initial inquiry.

It was told that there were 3 categories of pilot, out of which two pilots including Captain Yahya Musawar Sandila and Captain Waseem Akhtar had obtained a stay order from the Sindh High Court.

The CAA DG also briefed that six pilots who were suspended and their names were not including the FIRs, can now be reinstated right away.

The second meeting was held on May 23, 2023, while the third meeting was held on June 1, 2023, while the fourth meeting was held on June 9, 2023.

Criminal Proceedings against Pilots

The Committee expressed its displeasure that criminal cases were unnecessarily registered against Pilot but also recommends that FIA should submit supplementary/final challans in the criminal cases to the extent of Pilots to assist the worthy Court in appreciating the fact that the matter should and can be dealt with departmentally and there is no judiciousness in proceeding with the trial of the Pilots and in the order to enable them to be discharged from the said criminal cases. The FIA may continue to prosecute the employees of CAA and persons of CAA in criminal cases if it deems fit

Restore Pilots

The Sub-committee directed PIA to immediately restore and revive the services of those pilots whose services were terminated as this Sub-Committee has already declared that the framework for resolving the Pilot License issues, which was the only good ground for their termination.

If the issue of the pilots is not resolved within 6 days of the adoption of this report, pilots may approach the Committee again.

The Senate Standing Committee on Aviation has said that the Supreme Court has nothing to do with the PIA management as it deliberated on the top court’s recent decision regarding recruitment in the national flag carrier.

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation was held at Parliament House on Thursday with Senator Hidayatullah in the chair.

The Senate Committee adopted the report of the Sub-Committee constituted to resolve the issues of pilot licenses. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla termed the Former Aviation Minister’s claims of ‘fake pilots’ as ill-advised and stated that it has served a big blow to PIA and the country globally. He suggested that Civil Aviation Authority should resolve the matter in the ambit of its rules without the interference of FIA and the Court.

The Senate body was briefed on the details of flights cancelled from all airports of Balochistan in the last two months. PIA officials apprised that 49 flights were delayed in the month of April and 9 flights were delayed in June. However, the delay occurred due to financial and crew constraints and the flights will be normalised after the completion of the Hajj operation, officials assured. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla suggested that PIA should engage private airlines so that the passengers could be accommodated. The Committee recommended the PIA draft a viable flight plan for Balochistan and decided to invite the private airlines to the next meeting.

While deliberating on the Supreme Court’s recent decision which granted the national carrier to recruit 205 skilled employees, PIA officials informed that Supreme Court has allowed PIA to recruit cabin crew, IT professionals, and 80 pilots on the contract of one year.

The officials stated that the major impediment lies in the Supreme Court decision that a cost of 15,000 to 20,000 dollars incurred on the initial 8 to 10 months of training of pilots and there is no legal binding which barred the pilots from joining other airlines after the initial contract of one year. The Senate Committee maintained that Supreme Court has nothing to do with the management of PIA and directed the PIA to share the court decision with the committee in the next meeting.

Moreover, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the details of employees submitted by the PIA. The chairman Committee directed that complete details with experience and present posting of employees should be submitted in the next meeting.

In addition to that, Senate Committee took up the matter of PIA employees’ appointments on fake degrees. FIA officials apprised that Challans in 15 cases against the 260 nominated employees have been submitted, however, the Special Committee on Affected Employees has directed for the withdrawal of cases. Chairman Committee Senator Hidayatullah maintained that employees bearing fake degrees should not be spared at any cost and the recommendation of the standing committee should be implemented.

Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan inquired about the number of active pensioners drawing pensions from Pakistan International Airline Corporation (PIAC) and how much pension is being given to widows of employees. PIA officials apprised that as of now, 15,000 employees are drawing pensions out of which 5,000 are widows who have been paid 2 to 3,000 every month. The Committee recommended that the pension of widows should be increased from 2 to 5,000 as the current amount is not sufficient for the maintainability of the family.

The meeting was attended by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Umer Farooq, Senator Dr.Afnan Ullah Khan, and senior officers of the Ministry of Aviation, PIA, and FIA.