Dear Esteemed PALPA Members,
اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم
I am delighted to share the uplifting news that, by the grace of Allah, we have reached a significant milestone in our ongoing journey. After an exhaustive investigation conducted by the Senate Aviation Committee, we can now confidently announce that the long-standing “fake pilots” controversy that has plagued us has been brought to a conclusive end. The thorough scrutiny undertaken has unequivocally affirmed that there are no instances of fake pilots, past or present, within Pakistan. This moment marks a triumphant unveiling of the truth that we have tirelessly pursued.
Several years ago, our nation’s aviation landscape was jolted when the former Aviation Minister raised allegations in the House of such a grave nature. The assertion of 262 fake pilots within Pakistan reverberated internationally, inviting disrepute to our country on the global stage. Consequentially, this led to the unfortunate suspension of our airline’s operations in Europe, triggering not only financial strain but also jeopardizing the livelihoods of PCAA license holders in airlines across the world.
United as the PALPA executive committee, alongside our steadfast General Secretary, we firmly stood against these allegations. No measure was too great, and no cost was spared in our pursuit of truth. I am proud to declare that our resolute stance, combined with unwavering dedication, has yielded a result of immense significance. The exhaustive efforts of the Senate Aviation Committee, particularly the esteemed Senators Mr. Hadiyatullah and Mr. Mandviwalla, deserve our sincere gratitude for undertaking a meticulous inquiry and unraveling this injustice.
I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our Director of Flight Operations for their instrumental role in effectively addressing and resolving this complex issue. Their unwavering dedication, strategic insights, and tireless efforts have been pivotal in navigating the challenges we faced. Their commitment to our cause underscores the value of collaborative leadership within our association, and I commend them for their invaluable contributions to our success.
While we savor this vindication, our work is far from complete. The consequences of this baseless accusation have inflicted substantial damage upon Pakistan’s reputation, its national airline, and the PCAA. It is incumbent upon us to delve deeper into the roots of this slanderous charge and the subsequent ramifications it sparked. Additionally, our attention must be directed towards the reinstatement of the pilots who unfairly lost their careers due to these false allegations. Urgent steps are required to rectify this situation and provide them the justice they deserve.
In parallel, our examination system’s methodology warrants careful scrutiny. The current ad-hoc examination process has inadvertently contributed to the scarcity of ATPL holders in our country. Moreover, the financial burden it places upon aspiring aviators is undeniably excessive. To align ourselves with global standards and alleviate the economic strain on our students, we earnestly advocate for the adoption of a renowned and universally accepted examination system like the FAA’s.
In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you, our esteemed membership. Your unwavering support during these trying times has fortified our collective spirit and bolstered our commitment to truth and justice. Together, we navigate these challenges, and with determination, we shall prevail.
With Best Regards,
Capt. Ch. Salman Riaz
PRESIDENT
LONG LIVE THE UNITY OF PILOTS.