MUHAMMAD ALI
KARACHI: An initial inquiry conducted by Pakistani investigation agencies has revealed that some 14 kilograms of heroin was transported to London via PIA flight PK-785 on May 15, 2017.
According to sources, Pakistani investigators during initial course of investigation are suspicious over the involvement of PIA engineering staff and ASF staff of Karachi & Islamabad stations.
Sources said that initial investigation revealed that this aircraft came from Birmingham on May 15, 2017 and flew as PK-785 to London after a brief span of just two and a half hours.
Replying to a question, sources said that although it was premature to fix the responsibility to anyone, this aircraft also went on maintenance in PIA hangar at Karachi for almost 20 hours on May 8, 2017.
Sources further said that this huge quantity of heroin was concealed at eight different places in rooftop panels of the aircraft and nobody except PIA engineering staff has technical knowledge about opening these rooftop panels.
In addition, as per SOP, no official either from PIA or any other agency is allowed to enter the hangar, apron and other restricted areas in the airport without ASF clearance even pilots and other crew members also under went strict ASF search before boarding the aircraft.
Therefore, the Pakistani investigators are of the view that this heinous crime could not be possible without the involvement of PIA Engineering staff (Karachi & Islamabad) and ASF staff of both stations, sources said and added that there was also a suspicion that a facilitator in British customs or other department, was on duty to help take the said contraband drugs out of Heathrow airport.
To another question, sources said that National Crime Agency, UK released all crew members of PIA flight PK-785 as it appeared that no crew member was involved in this drugs smuggling bid.
Moreover, sources said that Pakistani investigators also interviewed some officials from different agencies presented at Karachi and Islamabad airports to dig out more facts about the incident; adding that the facts in this regard could only be ascertained after a detailed investigation.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Prime Minister on Aviation, Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has directed to constitute a joint investigation team under the supervision of Secretary Aviation Irfan Elahi to ascertain the facts and take responsible persons to task.
When contacted, PIA spokesman reiterated his earlier statement, saying that PIA has not been informed either verbally or in writing by any security agency for any narcotics/ drugs on board PIA aircraft flight PK-785 during search at Heathrow airport and no crew member was presently in detention and all PIA flights to London were operating as per schedule.
