Pilot Faces Probe for Letting Imran Khan’s ex-wife Into Cockpit

PIA spokesperson says it might be a courtesy by the pilot, but it is still against the law.

A PIA pilot allowed Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s ex-wife Reham to sit in the cockpit for a “few minutes” on her request during a London to Lahore flight. The pilot on flight PK-788 is now facing a probe and disciplinary action.

“On her request the pilot allowed Reham to sit in the cockpit for ‘few minutes’ which is against the law,” PIA spokesperson Danial Gilani told PTI.

He said Reham expressed her wish to sit in the cockpit which the pilot could not turn down.

Although it appears to be courtesy on the part of the pilot, the PIA cannot ignore the rules. Under the law, unauthorised persons cannot enter the cockpit

Danial Gilani, PIA Spokesperson

The PIA management has initiated an inquiry into the matter and will take appropriate disciplinary action against the pilot, Gilani said.

The Pakistani cricket legend-turned-politician and the TV journalist announced their decision to split on October 30 amid reports that Imran objected to her meddling in politics.

Reham, 42, left a job on regional BBC news and moved back to Pakistan in 2013. Imran and Reham’s relationship was shrouded with controversy from the very start.

Soon after the couple married in January this year, Reham’s ex-husband denied allegations he had mistreated her during their marriage.

Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, whose chief is Imran, had expressed concern over Reham’s participation in politics after which Imran announced she will neither contest elections on a party ticket nor will attend any party gatherings.

Before politics, the filth in our society needs to be cleansed. Before you run a political movement, there is a great need for a social movement.

Reham Khan, TV journalist and Imran Khan’s ex-wife

“What type of people are coming into politics - what kind of youth and how we enable them – and how we fulfil our responsibilities in the media. I’ve come with this resolve,” she was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

Reham also said she would live and die in her country.