“The flight was not delayed because of me, there was a technical fault,” Vankwani insisted, while addressing the media outside Parliament House.
“When I reached the airport at 6:15am, I was told that it will take-off at 8:30am instead of 7:00am,” the MNA alleged referring to the Islamabad-bound flight he was offloaded from along with former interior minister Rehman Malik by other passengers for being the apparent cause of delay.
In videos recorded via mobile phones that went viral, Vankwani is seen walking into the plane with his carry-on, greeted not just by the usual sight of crew and smiling air hostesses, but by a group of angry passengers.
Vankwani censured PIA for not releasing a statement on time to clarify that he and the PPP senator were not the reason of the delay.
“The PIA crew did not even provide us with security as they saw a former minister (Rehman Malik) leave,” he censured.
Speaking out against the incident, the MNA also pointed out that making videos on aircraft is against the policy of Civil Aviation Administration.
“The media aired the videos without investigating into the incident,” he said.
"I, myself, am against VIP culture," he said.
The MNA, who was seated in first class, was surrounded by visibly and audibly livid passengers and forced to leave despite his protestations. A few minutes after Vankwani was forced off, Malik was greeted with chants of ‘go back’ before he could even enter the plane.
In a statement issued by PIA on Tuesday, the airline said the plane’s 150 passengers were delayed due to technical issues. The statement said, “The plane was delayed for one hour and 30 minutes (and) passengers were informed accordingly. However, the flight was delayed by an additional 20 minutes due to two parliamentarians who arrived late on the aircraft but were off-loaded.”
COMMENTS (17)
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Go Nawaz Go Shame on both you, they should be grounded for one year and barred to travel by air. Go Nawaz Go
This wonderful development, people of Pakistan have finally asserted themselves. Keep it up, chase all these thugs out of public life and if they don't give our country back to us then lynch them all the public enemies. This is a large gang of usurpers and it must be learn that Pakistan is not made just for a few elites here, we will not let them treat us the masses as 'undesired element' these our country and we can not tolerate our exploitation by a few elites no matter who they are and where they sit, parliament or government. They are no good, they all must go.
Only one question Dr sahib..
Why weren't you waiting for the plane to take off like the other 250 passengers? You are their servant - let's make sure you understand that!
gonawazgoThe best thing for both these liars is to come out with the truth and apologize to the nation. However, being from the PPP and PMLN the culture of apology does not exist. So, go ahead and throw them to the ground next time from the ramp. Salams
Red Beacon Lights +++++++++++++++++ I suggest that VIPs to carry such lights on their heads so that they may be accorded proper protocol at all times instead of getting lost in the crowd. PS I have patented the idea in Pakistan.
Some indicators of what might have happened: 1. PIA came up with the clarification statement very late. 2. They suspended staff for late, which is unusual. 3. The clarification statement is a mix of both: there was a technical fault AND the two politicians were late also (20 min). Note that both the politicians coming late (they were the last passengers) and the staff waiting for them have been caught on camera, and their late arrival could not possibly have been denied. 4. Late is late even if it is 20 min. But the two politicians were not accepting that they were late. It was before the clarification statement of PIA, which later admitted that the two politicians were late (by 20 min). 5. PIA only informed the two politicians about the technical fault and the would-be delay, but not to the others, as all 200 plus passengers were on-board on the right time. 6. Is this a normal practice of PIA of not informing of delay to ordinary citizens? 7. Is this a normal practice of PIA to delay flight due to late arrival of politicians?
peoples should have beat them for once oh god why i wasnot there...
These Politicians should try this with British Airways, or any world class airline and see the result. A BA Captain once told Tony Blair when he was the PM and was talking to the Queen, to shut off his phone while in-flight. Blair did that without question. That is why Britain is what it is and why Pakistan is where it is.
LOL. At least Rahman malik had the good sense to stop talking about it!
PML-N and PPP MNA's will sell their souls for money. Don't try to make a fool out of the public we are not stupid. I was once traveling on a flight which was also delayed by 4 hours because of VVIP MOVEMENT. These cursed VVIP movements do not even allow ambulances to pass these politicians act like they are gods...
by the way WHERE ARE ALL THE PML-N supporters on ET now ???????
Even if the flight was delayed because of technical reasons, both ministers were still late, this is confirmed by PIA statement. The ministers deserved to be thrown off. In the video, the minster is clearly heard saying he was "sitting outside". Why was he not sitting inside like the rest of the passengers?
“I, myself, am against VIP culture,” ..Clearly not cause if you were all of this wouldnt have happened..But you know what mate, Thankyou! For showing your VIP level arrogance, it pushed normal folks to do something this nation has waited for 68 years. See the writing on the wall, pack up your bags and run while you still can!
Another lying non leaguer. Show us the CCTV footage of your arrival at 6:15 am as you claim!
Airport authorities, please please release (leak) the time stamped video of both the stinking VIPs to show Pakistan how they break the law and then lie and lie and lie to cover up.
Shame on you
Why you were the second last person? Do you have any answer? Why didn't you wait for the same time other passengers after boarding?
What a shame that you are telling lie now. All passengers were boarded and waited for long time and then you walked in. It clearly suggests that you don't value to common people, otherwise you would have been part of those people who were waiting there. You should have push flight crew not to wait for Mr. Malik.
It is apparent from the video in which this guy lied that he is a liar. Shame!
go nawaz go with your corrupt MNA's Like You