Islamabad, The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, chaired by Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, convened a meeting at the Parliament House on Tuesday, focusing on significant issues concerning the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and a breach of privilege case.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee directed the CAA to reinstate the remaining 82 pilots within the next 15 days and provide a subsequent report. This directive comes amidst discussions on a breach of privilege case involving the DG CAA. The DG was accused of providing false assurances to the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation, obstructing members in their duties, and not implementing decisions of the house, which violates rule 196.

Senator Saleem Mandiwalla informed the committee about the sub-committee’s efforts in resolving issues related to the revocation of pilots’ licenses. Despite the acquittal of pilots from criminal cases and assurances given in meetings, the DG CAA was hesitant to implement the committee’s recommendations and also overruled a court decision dated September 5, 2023. The special judge (central)-II, Karachi, had acquitted all pilots with FIRs registered against them, leaving no criminal or legal cases pending against them. The committee deferred this matter for two weeks.

The meeting also addressed a Privilege motion moved against the President of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for failing to attend a meeting in Karachi despite being in the same building. The NBP President tendered a written apology for his absence, which the committee accepted, deferring further deliberation to the next meeting.

Attendees included Senator Professor Sajid Mir, Senator Irfan ul Haque Siddiqui, Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Naseeb ullah Khan Bazai, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, DG Civil Aviation Authority Khaqan Murtaza, President NBP Rehhat Ali Hasnie, Additional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Asif Saeed Khan, Additional Secretary Finance and Revenue Amjad Mahmood, and other senior officials of relevant departments.