IHC dismisses plea seeking dismissal of aviation minister

Petitioner upholds minister's fake licenses allegation led to PIA's six-month suspension in Europe

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking the dismissal of Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

The hearing was presided over by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah. The petitioner sought the minister's dismissal for his National Assemby speech in which he alleged that 30 per cent of the Pakistan International Alirlines' pilots had fake licenses.

Announcing the judgement, Justice Minallah remarked that, “The government and the aviation ministry were fully aware of the consequences of their decision.”

He further said that Pakistan’s aviation industry has been praised worldwide.

The petitioner had called for a judicial commission to be formed for a transparent inquiry into the fake licenses issue. “Orders should be issued to the prime minister to remove Ghulam Sarwar Khan from his post of aivation minister.

The matter should be referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the petitioner prayed, adding that Khan be stopped from working immediately till a decision is taken on the application.