Peshawar-Bound Flight
A video attributed to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has recently gone viral on social media, claiming that a flight bound for Peshawar mistakenly landed in Karachi.
However, senior journalist Tariq Abulhasan, associated with a prominent private TV channel, has clarified the actual circumstances behind the video.
The footage, which shows passengers inside the aircraft arguing with airport security personnel, initially gave the impression of an accidental landing.
However, Abulhasan explained that PIA flight PK-284, traveling from Dubai to Peshawar, made a technical landing at Karachi’s airport on Sunday night due to a mechanical issue.
According to the journalist, passengers were kept inside the aircraft for several hours after landing, which led to their frustration. They protested inside the plane after being denied access to the airport lounge.
The viral video depicts these protests. Eventually, after a lengthy wait, passengers were transferred to Peshawar on a replacement flight.
Muhammad Ahmed, the pilot featured in the video, also clarified the situation. He explained that a technical issue arose after the aircraft collided with a pushback truck in Dubai.
As a result, the necessary parts had to be flown from Dubai to Karachi via a private airline. The pilot reached his 12-hour duty limit, but the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted him an additional four hours to continue operations.
Ultimately, a technical landing was necessary to change the crew, as they were approaching their extended duty limits.
Tariq Abulhasan further highlighted that the broader issue plaguing PIA stems from a lack of spare parts, which has severely impacted aircraft maintenance.
Despite a rise in revenue, the PIA management has been neglecting to purchase essential components for their aircraft, resulting in frequent technical problems.
Abulhasan claimed that out of PIA’s 40 aircraft, only 17 are currently operational due to these issues, with several grounded due to the absence of spare parts.
He also criticized the PIA management, pointing to the privatisation process as a contributing factor to the lack of spare parts procurement.
The head of PIA’s Engineering Department, who has held the position for several years, was particularly called into question.
Abulhasan alleged that under his leadership, engineering workshops had been progressively shut down, severely limiting PIA’s capacity to conduct proper aircraft maintenance.
In the past, PIA’s Engineering Department was regarded as one of the best in the region, capable of everything from D-checks on aircraft to full engine overhauls.
However, the current neglect and poor management have drastically reduced the airline’s operational capabilities, raising serious concerns about its future.
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