NAB chairman takes notice of CAA DG’s use of PIA plane for private tour

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal on Wednesday took notice of the media reports stating that Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director-general alleged took a group of friends on special tour to Nanga Parbat on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane scheduled for a flight.

CAA DG Hassan Baig had allegedly taken a group of friends for a special tour of Nanga Parbat on a PIA plane, and that “the tour took place as passengers waited for the plane’s arrival at Skardu Airport for their scheduled flight.”

The Supreme Court has also taken suo motu notice of difficulties faced by passengers at Skardu airport and directed CAA and PIA to submit a report before it within 48 hours.

As per reports, when the plane finally landed at Skardu Airport after a delay of hours, passengers protested and lashed out at the DG.

Baig, however, denied using a plane of the national carrier.

“I went for an air safari on the invitation of PIA CEO,” he upheld, adding that the national carrier told him that they are starting an air safari and thus wanted to invite him.

“I have nothing to do with the plane being taken for an air safari,” the CAA DG said. “None of my friends was on board the plane,” he clarified.

The director generals of the anti-graft bodies in Gilgit-Baltistan and Rawalpindi have been directed to review the matter.

The NAB chairman has also summoned a report on the sale of PIA aircrafts at cheap prices and stated that the national asset, instead of progressing, is declining.