Pakistani pilots are now '100% clean': Shibli Faraz

No plan under consideration to privatise Roosevelt Hotel in New York owned by PIA, says Ali Zaidi

Federal Minster for Information Shibli Faraz has assured passengers that Pakistani arlines are completely safe for travelling as its all piolts "are now 100 per cent clean" after the government grounded 262 pilots for holding "dubious" qualifications.

"I want to ensure that all pilots [in Pakistan] went through a complete scrutniy and they have been given clean chit so there is no need to worry,," he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday.

Maritime Affairs Minster Ali Zaidai along with PM's aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar were also present in the presser.

The assurance came amid a growing concerns about the credentials of Pakistani pilots after Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan told parliament last month that 262 pilots, out of total 860 in the country, have suspicious flying licences.

Moreover, Malaysia has barred Pakistani pilots from flying aircraft with immediate effect, a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said.

On Tuesday, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) had suspended the authorisation for Pakistan’s national airline to operate in Europe for six months.

“The EASA has temporarily suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate to the EU member states for a period of 6 months effective July 1, 2020 with the right to appeal against this decision,” a PIA statement had said.

Faraz further said that the government is making all-out efforts to restore the past glory of the national flag carrier, claiming that "irreparable losses" inflicted on PIA by the past two regimes led by Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

Spekaing on the occassion, Zadi set aside the claims that the PTI-led government was privitising the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, owned by the PIA. "We are just mulling ways to maximise its income and there is no discussion underway to sell it off."

He added that the government is committed to make Civil Aviation Authority and PIA as the leading authority and airline of the world in terms of safety. "A thorough probe is underway to fix irregularities and suspicions in the CAA licensing authority for pilots."