Mandviwalla, CAA chief exchange hot words over revocation of PIA pilots’ licenses

An argument took place Wednesday between Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director general (DG) on the issue of the revocation of pilots’ licenses in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) during a meeting of the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation in Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Saleem Mandviwalla expressed indignation at the CAA DG, stating: “The FIR against the pilot has ended. Why is he not being reinstated??

“I can clear everything by giving an in-camera briefing,” the CAA DG said.

“I will not attend any in-camera briefing. Details should be provided now,” Mandviwalla stated.

“I will not give you any answer in this committee,” the CAA DG said.

“It seems that Mandviwalla has eaten something in the morning, and that is why he is angry. Here, the driver of a car first drives the car and then takes the license,” Senator Mohsin Aziz pointed out.

“I can provide all the documents to the committee chairman. It was quite okay to revoke the licenses of some pilots,” the CAA DG emphasised.

“I am talking about the pilots who were reinstated as per the court order. The CAA DG had said there were FIRs against the pilots, and apart from that there was no issue,” Saleem Mandviwalla said.

“An in-camera session will be decided after the reply of the CAA,” Senator Hidayatullah said.

“The Supreme Court had ordered a case against the CAA DG instead of pilots. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) says that the FIRs have been registered at the behest of the CAA DG,” Saleem Mandviwalla said.

“You should read the order of the Supreme Court and then talk,” the CAA DG replied to Saleem Mandviwalla.

“You are misrepresenting here. You and the civil aviation will suffer,” Mandviwalla said.

“I am ready for everything, but it is a matter of the state,” the CAA DG replied.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif