FLIGHT AVOIDS BEING HIT BY MYSTERY DRONE IN KARACHI

ISLAMABAD: Was it a drone or an unidentified flying object (UFO)?

Karachi police launched a search operation in the Sohrab Goth area and its adjoining localities for a suspected drone after a Sukkur-bound plane escaped a possible collision on Friday evening.

According to police officials in Karachi, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-536 was flying to Sukkur from the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

Shortly after the plane took off, a suspected drone appeared to have gone dangerously close to the aircraft.

The pilot immediately alerted the ATC officials. Later, the Civil Aviation Authority informed the police about the incident.

An extra contingent of police gathered in the Sohrab Goth area and launched a search operation, but no drone was found.

In an unrelated development, PIA has decided to welcome passengers on board with “religious songs” playing in the background, replacing the custom of playing soft music.

A rendition of the Qaseeda Burda Sharif, a popular hymn, will be played while passengers board PIA planes for all domestic and international flights, PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar told the media.

The PIA spokesperson denied reports that the national flagcarrier had banned music on all its flights, saying that passengers will have access to the inflight entertainment system.

All PIA flights traditionally commence with a recitation of a prayer before take-off.