Pakistan opens criminal investigation into fake pilot license scandal

Wednesday, 17 Sep, 2020 0

Pakistan started a criminal probe into dozens of pilots and at least five aviation officials over the fake pilot license scandal.

It comes after numerous pilots were grounded after bogus credentials were used to get their licenses.

The criminal investigation by the Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency is targeting up to 50 pilots and aviation officials who allegedly facilitated the scam, according to Reuters.

It aims to prove ‘alleged corruption, violations, malpractices in issuance of flight crew licences.’

"The Cabinet was told that FIA has opened proceedings into the pilots whose licences were revoked, and the civil aviation officials who connived with them," according to the minutes from a Cabinet meeting seen by Reuters.

The scandal came to light after officials opened an audit into Pakistan International Airlines following an air crash.

It found dozens of pilots received their licenses even though they paid others to take their pilot exam on their behalf.

The scandal has tainted the airline which is currently banned from flying to Europe and the US.

Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor

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TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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