Pakistan International Airlines and other carriers in the country are potentially facing a worldwide ban.
PIA may be banned in 188 countries due to its pilot licencing issues which has already seen PIA flights banned in Europe.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) addressed the issue at a meeting earlier this month.
The UN agency issued a serious warning notice to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
It stated the aviation authority had failed to maintain international standards for pilot licencing and training and could ban its airlines from all ICAO member countries.
The widespread problem came to light during an audit of PIA after a plane crash.
It uncovered ‘dubious’ credentials for more than 250 pilots, including more than 100 from PIA.
There was a well-established practice of paying others to take the pilot’s licence exam.
This had led to a big audit of all Pakistan pilot licence holders, even those working at other foreign airlines.
"This will have serious consequences and could be a total disaster for Pakistan’s aviation industry," the Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association said of the ICAO action.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
