Pakistan

'Wanted' man arrested from PIA plane in UK charged with fraud

PIA plane was escorted by RAF fighter jets and escorted to Stansted Airport

News Desk February 09, 2017

A police passes next to a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft that was intercepted and escorted by fighter jets to Stansted airport northeast of London because of a disruptive passenger, Britain's police said, February 7, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

A man arrested from a Pakistan International Airlines flight which was escorted to Stansted Airport by RAF fighter jets has been charged with fraud, Scotland Yard has stated.
A PIA flight was diverted while on its way from Lahore to Heathrow on Tuesday. A spokesman for Essex Police said, "An aircraft was diverted to Stansted Airport at around 3pm this afternoon, Tuesday, February 7, while over UK airspace en-route to Heathrow Airport due to reports of a disruptive passenger on board."

The man on-board the PIA flight was wanted by Met Police. Khalid Baqa, 52, from Barking has been charged with fraud and misrepresentation and was due to be arrested on arrival at Heathrow. The plane's diversion at Stansted Airport led to him being detained there.

PIA flight from Lahore to Karachi diverted to Muscat

PIA said in a statement, that UK authorities received a "vague security threat through an anonymous phone call."

Pakistan International Airline's press release on #Lahore-#Heathrow flight PK-757. #PakistanIntlAirlines @DanyalGilani #PIA pic.twitter.com/L2bwFZ3oFI
— PIA (@Official_PIA) February 7, 2017

A Met police spokesperson said: “It appears to be a coincidence that there was a passenger onboard who was due to be arrested in a pre-planned arrest.

“As far as we know it was not related to the divergence of the aircraft. Whether it was exacerbated by the passenger onboard who was to be arrested, we do not know,” the spokesperson added according to The Sun.

Stansted is a designated airport that deals with major security alerts and hijacks. The PIA plane was held in an area away from the main airport, which remained open.

PIA flight diverted to Manchester after passengers leave toilets choked

Baqa, a father of six, was previously jailed for two years in 2012, after being charged with three counts of possession of terrorist material and one count of dissemination of terrorist material.

COMMENTS (9)

Naim Khan | 7 years ago | Reply It doesn't explain why plane was diverted to Stanstead? They could have arrested him at Heathrow. Someone made a hoxe call to British authorities and British made themselves look fool in the world. What did they found nothing. I m asking Pakistan Government can any one explain why was the plane diverted and I'm sure they can find out who was responsible. We know Nawaz Sharif 's government is the most corrupt, its emberesment to us who live in the UK.

Manu | 7 years ago | Reply Great Nation and it's great reputation

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Zahir | 7 years ago | Reply @Javed Arshad: Stansted is the designated London airport for dealing with all security related aircraft issues.

Billa | 7 years ago | Reply Compensation should be paid to the passengers by UK who were off loaded at stanstead instead of Heathrow. And to those also who kept on waiting at Heathrow for departure. Someone needs to cash the situation if they have any idea.

Iqbal | 7 years ago | Reply At this rate PIA will be forbidden to use Europe's and American air space. I wonder why?

Javed Arshad | 7 years ago | Reply That doesn't explain why the plane was diverted to Stansted. The person could have been dealt with at Heathrow airport. As per the information received so far, there was nothing wrong inside the plane. There was no confirmed report of bomb on board. Who is going to pay for the diversion, the parking at Stansted and the delay in inbound flight?

BrainBro | 7 years ago | Reply Another glorious day to be a Pakistani.

Anjum Arshi | 7 years ago | Reply Trump ideology is well and thriving in UK!

Shah | 7 years ago | Reply It is beyond comprehension that the alleged passenger could be arrested at Heathrow which is also under UK government.To create harassment to other passengers in the airplane and keeping them waiting for hours is itself a crime.What has happened to civilised nation trumpeting for human values and social justice?

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