Pakistan

Social media celebrates as PIA female pilots fly challenging Gilgit flight

PIA spokesperson says this is not the first time all-female crew steered aircraft

News Desk June 21, 2018

PHOTO: FACBEOOK/ Ainee Shehzad Salim

Social media is abuzz with a picture of two female pilots who flew a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Islamabad-Gilgit flight.

[fbpost link="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156909556592323&set=a.10150089206792323.300553.647272322&type=3&permPage=1"]

Speaking to The Express Tribune, PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar confirmed that Capt Maryam Masood and First Officer Shumaila Mazhar piloted the ATR aircraft.

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However, he pointed out that it was not the first time female pilots had commanded a flight. “Capt Ayesha Rabia and First Officer Saadia Aziz made the first all-female crew a few years ago.”

The PIA spokesperson said that the pairing of the two cockpit crew members was based on merit and was not intentional. “The flight crew is chosen out of a pool of rested pilots,” he added.

The flight to Gilgit is very challenging and requires a lot of precision and technique. Our dynamic duo, Captain Maryam Masood and First Officer Shumaila Mazhar make it look so easy as they fly through the mountains celebrating the beauty of our northern areas! Way to go!! #PIA pic.twitter.com/UOQC8VbRUZ
— PIA (@Official_PIA) June 21, 2018

"The flight to Gilgit is very challenging and requires a lot of precision and technique. Our dynamic duo, Captain Maryam Masood and First Officer Shumaila Mazhar make it look so easy as they fly through the mountains celebrating the beauty of our northern areas! Way to go!!," the national carrier said in a tweet.

The original photo has been shared over 800 times and garnered kudos for the national carrier on social media.

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#GOALS #LadiesLookingSharp 😍

*screenshot is of a public post* pic.twitter.com/gi7TVlyi9w
— Khizra (@KhizM) June 20, 2018

PIA first officer and captain pilot for flight to Gilgit, you go girls 👩‍✈️👩‍✈️more power to you #PakWomen🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/t2jiJx841T
— Dr. Nazia Memon (@NaziaMemon01) June 21, 2018

The daring ladies! One of the difficult landings is at #Gilgit #PIA pic.twitter.com/TajAX58j1U
— Asad (@Aay_Em_Khan) June 21, 2018

COMMENTS (5)

Hunger Games | 6 years ago | Reply Great to see that Pakistan allows people to pursue their dreams irrespective of their gender. Captain Maryam and FO Shumaila look so happy and proud to be doing the job they love in the country that has offered them the opportunity to fulfil their passion. Can't quiet say the same for Fatima Shafi an ex engineer in the PAF now living in the US, who has done her utmost to malign Pakistan and Pakistani women at every opportunity. The same Pakistan from which her father Shafi Sewhani as CDA chairman Islamabad looted millions of rupees and was convicted and jailed. The same Pakistani money that she now uses to bankroll her career. The same Pakistan who she has no problem in using as a platform for self promotion when it means she gets to say a few words about her "journey" at the Nobel Peace Prize held in Norway only because her father served jail with Yousuf Raza Gillani and he owes him favours. Maybe she's bitter about the fact she served jail in Pakistan and daddy couldn't pull any favours to get her out. Doubt she would have mentioned this to US immigration or her Delta Airlines. I remember the days when in the PAF Fatima the manipulative self promoting damsel she openly flirt and court married officers in an attempt to gain promotion and would then accuse officers of behaving inappropriately to their seniors if she didn't get her way. Her reason for being fired from the PAF. Coneveniently she fails to mention any of this in her US interviews. Fatima is a girl devoid of any morals or dignity. She married a Jewish man in the US just for a Green Card who divorced her after walking in on her in bed with two white men. In her radio interviews she denies ever being married when she has been married 3 times. Bazaari woman. Captain Maryam, FO Shumaila and all the other hard working women of Pakistan...you make us proud....WE LOVE YOU

Joe Berwich.. | 6 years ago | Reply The flight to empower girl are more important then fly to Gilgit. Proud of you.

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Tzaman | 6 years ago | Reply Great! This is Pakistan. We do wonders.

Uzi | 6 years ago | Reply Very cool. I like how feminist women are constantly patting each other on the back for doing things that men have been doing for ages without any appreciation. Kudos!

Irtaza M. Awan | 6 years ago | Reply I like PIA uniform for ladies. Its smart and modern by using pants. Armed forces should also think about letting go of saree which look very ourdated and unpractical. Congratulation ladies for the flight.

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