Pilot remanded in crash landing case

LAHORE
An anti-terrorism court judge Khawaja Zafar Iqbal Tuesday handed over the pilot of a private airline to police on seven days physical remand, an accused of crash landing under the influence of alcohol.
On Tuesday, Sarwar Road police produced accused pilot Asmat Mehmood before the court and sought his 14-day physical remand to carry out investigation.
The police stated that it had to examine record of air traffic control along with flying hours of pilot. The police also stated that the statements of passengers of aircraft would also be recorded in this regard.
Meanwhile, counsel of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) appeared before the court and argued that accused pilot was drunk at the time of crash landing and could have hit plane into some building and killed the passengers along with people on surrounding surface. He said that the alcohol level in the blood of pilot was 83MG per decilitre at the time of crash landing which is much higher than permissible ratio or concentration level for pilots, which is 40MG per decilitre.
The CAA counsel alleged that accused pilot might have an affiliation with terrorist outfit and police should also investigate this aspect as well. The counsel implored the court to grant remand of the accused as the accused had jeopardised lives of 120 on-board passengers.
On the other hand, counsel of the accused argued that his client was not drunk and was a hero as he saved lives of passengers by applying his skills. However, the court after hearing augments of both parties handed over accused to the police on seven days physical remand. The court has also directed police to explain why anti-terrorism sections had been included in the FIR.
As per case details, On November 3, flight NL-142, of a private airline carrying 121 passengers and crew, made a crash landing at Allama Iqbal Airport. The tyres of aircraft burst and skidded off the runway. More than 10 passengers received injuries. After this incident, the CAA registered a case against pilot at Sarwar Road police station.
Gymkhana: The Lahore High Court Tuesday directed the Punjab government to submit record of Lahore Gymkhana Club’s registration and memberships on a petition alleging violation of merit in awarding memberships to 350 politicians, bureaucrats and other ‘influential’ personalities.
As per details, Zia Shahid alleged in his petition that the club management awarded memberships to Abdul Aleem Khan of PTI, former MNA Kashmala Tariq, singer Fareeha Pervez and others ignoring the required rules. He said the memberships had been awarded in discriminatory manner and pick-and-choose policy.
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah adjourned the hearing of the petition till December 15 and directed the government to submit record of the club’s registration and its memberships under question.