ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has mandated a third-party investigation into alleged misconduct involving a Pakistan International Airlines cabin crew member. The decision comes amid criticism of PIA’s handling of the incident, where directives to ground the involved crew were reportedly ignored.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee, chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi, convened to address the privilege motion moved by Senator Bilal Ahmad Khan Mandokhail. The motion was prompted by an incident on February 7, 2026, involving cabin crew member Ms. Saima Rana on PIA flight PK-326. Although recommendations to ground the crew were issued on February 17, 2026, they were not implemented by PIA, leading to Senator Mandokhail’s disappointment with the airline’s response.

Senator Mandokhail criticized PIA for relying solely on an internal probe and failing to consult him. He recounted the incident, questioning actions taken by the crew, which included closing the flight door and calling Airport Security Force personnel. He expressed concern over PIA’s handling of the situation, particularly in comparison to how an ordinary passenger might be treated.

The committee resolved to conduct an inquiry through the Ministry of Defence, grounding both the crew member and the pilot until its conclusion. Additionally, the committee addressed other privilege matters, including the conduct of Senate security staff and alleged misconduct by government officials.

In a separate issue, concerns were raised regarding the non-response from Federal Minister for Communications, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan. The committee plans to escalate the matter to the Prime Minister’s Office, stressing the need for accountability.