Fake degrees: 16 Pak pilots lose licences

THE MOVE BY THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY COMES AFTER THE CHIEF JUSTICE ORDERED ACTION AGAINST THOSE HOLDING FAKE DEGREES

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s civil aviation regulator has suspended the licences of 16 pilots and 65 cabin crew members, most of whom belonged to state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), for holding fake educational qualifications.

The move by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) comes after the country’s chief justice ordered action against those holding fake degrees. The CAA informed the top court it has taken action against those whose degrees could not be verified. A counsel informed the bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar that the regulator has completed the process of verification of degrees of all airline staff, except for six officials, who are currently abroad.

“The degrees of 16 pilots and 65 cabin crews turned out to be forged during the verification process. The licences of these staff members were subsequently suspended,” he said.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice said that there was an impression that the authorities were acting in haste. “We do not want to prohibit anyone’s livelihood,” he said, adding that the record on the basis of which airline staff have been suspended should be correct.

Following the hearing, the apex court wrapped up the case, which it had taken up in May 2018.

In December, the CAA had informed the court that the academic credentials of seven pilots of PIA had been found to be fake. Five of them had not even passed their matriculation examination.