RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani on Wednesday referred four key issues pertaining to national flag carrier PIA, including allowing of a woman to cockpit by the pilot during flight and alleged seizure of heroin at Heathrow Airport from a PIA plane to the House privileges committee.

PML-Functional Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah moved separate privilege motions about PIA pilot inviting a woman to the cockpit and against another senior pilot, who slept during the flight by handing over flight to a trainee pilot risking lives of passengers and alleged recovery of heroin at Heathrow Airport.

He pointed out the House special committee on the performance of the PIA, had given certain instructions regarding these matters, and sought investigation and reports. However, despite passage of several months, there had been no response from the national airline’s management.

The senator insisted this constituted breach of privilege of the committee and sought its referral to the privileges committee. Likewise, the special committee had formed a three-member committee, consisting of Muzaffar Shah, Abdul Qayyum and Farhatullah Babar to furnish recommendations on recovery of PIA.

The sub-committee went to Karachi and held detailed meetings with the PIA management and prepared report of solid recommendations, which was presented to the special committee, which adopted it and then the Senate also adopted it afterwards. The report was sent to the Aviation Division for its implementation.

However, despite passage of eight months, no headway was made on its implementation, whereas as per rules, if the concerned quarters raise no objections, then it becomes binding on it to implement the recommendations.

Rabbani found the motions in order and referred the matters to the committee concerned.