Pakistan pilot licence irregularities are 'serious lapse' -IATA

"We are following reports from Pakistan regarding fake pilot licences, which are concerning and represent a serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator," an IATA spokesman said, adding that the organisation was seeking more information. Pakistan's civil aviation authority has found that some 150 of PIA's 434 pilots have "dubious licences", the airline said.

Irregularities found in pilot licenses at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) represent a "serious lapse" in safety controls, global airlines body IATA said on Thursday after the carrier grounded one-third of its pilots. "We are following reports from Pakistan regarding fake pilot licenses, which are concerning and represent a serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator," an IATA spokesman said, adding that the organization was seeking more information.

Pakistan's civil aviation authority has found that some 150 of PIA's 434 pilots have "dubious licenses", the airline said. An inquiry into a PIA crash that killed 97 people last month has pointed to pilots not following procedures.