Most licences valid for Pakistan pilots working abroad, says regulator

Pakistani authorities said Thursday they had confirmed the credentials of almost all Pakistani pilots working for foreign airlines, as the country battles a scandal over aviator licences. Airlines in 10 countries had demanded proof of valid flying licences for their Pakistani pilots after it emerged about a third of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aviators were holding "bogus or suspicious" licences. In all, the foreign airlines asked for proof of 176 Pakistani pilot licences. Of these, 166 "have been validated as genuine and certified by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) Pakistan as having no anomaly," the agency said in a statement. The "process for the remaining 10 shall be concluded by next week," it added. Pakistan's aviation minister sent shockwaves through the industry last month by revealing that some 260 pilots had dubious licences.<br/>