KARACHI: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has confirmed the Civil Aviation Authority of Oman (CAAO) that none of the pilot licenses are fake and all CPL/ATPL pilot licenses are genuine and validly issued, making aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan's statement about the licenses of 262 pilots controversial.

In response to the warning issued by CAAO to place a bar on PIA from using Oman airspace, the PCAA, which has already cancelled 28 pilot licenses and suspended 34 after suspected pilot licenses case discussed by the aviation minister in national assembly, confirmed that none of the pilot licenses are fake and all CPL/ATPL pilot licenses are genuine and validly issued, making the statement of aviation minister controversial.

PCAA in its letter stated that the federal government immediately took notice and embarked upon the process of verifying the credentials of all licensed pilots through a forensic scrutiny when some concerns were raised about the validity of the licenses of some pilots.

During this process, it occurred that there were discrepancies pertaining to the computer-based examination, which is one of the steps in the licensing process.

Immediately upon completion of the process, the pilots falling in this category were treated as 'suspects' till clearance. They were taken off from flying duties, if any, and were grounded pending formal process, after providing them opportunity to explain their position, under the Pakistan Civil Aviation Rules, 1994. All this was done keeping in view the highest concerns about air safety all over the world, and also to ensure that questions raised in respect of an identified class of pilots does not prejudice hundreds of Pakistani pilots flying aircrafts most professionally and safely within and outside Pakistan. Moreover, it said that all CPL/ ATPL pilot licenses issued by the PCAA are genuine and validly issued and none of the pilot licenses are fake.

The letter said that PCAA had verified 96 Pakistani pilots out of 104 names received from various civil aviation authorities and foreign airlines - UAE GACA, Vietnam Airlines, Bahrain Air, Civil Aviation Malaysia, Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and Turkish Airlines and added that only those pilots and aircrew with valid qualifications, credentials and unblemished record shall be allowed to fly.

PCAA also assured of full compliance to standards set by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through an established system of inspections/audits.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Airline's Pilots' Association (PALPA) stated that the issue of licenses was mishandled by the Aviation Minister, PIA management, and PCAA which proved damaging for the pilots of the national airline as well as others working in other airlines.

Secretary Palpa Imran Narejo said that PALPA stance was now accepted by PCAA that ATPL license of any pilot in Pakistan neither dubious nor fake and added that the whole episode caused damaging the reputation of nation, its airline and its pilots worldwide and added that Director General Civil Aviation Authority Hassan Nasir has now admitted this fact that no pilot of the national airline had dubious or fake licenses. When contacted, PCAA spokesman was not available for comments.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020