Malaysia has verified and confirmed that all Pakistani pilots currently employed in the country hold valid licenses. Malaysia has restored the Pakistani pilots with immediate effect, its aviation regulator said in a statement on Thursday. The pilots were suspended earlier this month after authorities in Pakistan discovered that up to a third of the country’s pilots may have falsified their qualifications. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia said 18 Pakistani pilot license holders in the country were verified by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
In related turn of events, Pakistan International Air-lines’ Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik has looked up to help the country’s ambassador from Turkey’s authorization to operate PIA flights to Istanbul. In a letter to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey M. Syrus Sajjad Qazi, the PIA chief said the national carrier intendeds to start operations to Turkey in the first week of August, provided the Turkey grants authorization. He said that among several destinations earmarked for reinstatement, Istanbul had been marked for immediate restoration in PIA’s flight operations.
The PIA already has agreements in place with airlines in Turkey, and recently concluded a code of share agreement with Pegasus airlines. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, code share with Pegasus could not be actuated as flight operation remained suspended. Mr Malik said he has requested to the authorities of Sabiha Gokcen Inter-National Airport for clearance schedule for which the permission was awaited. Due to the urgency of the situation, he had requested the ambassador to assist PIA in the matter.
