Gemini said Senate Mandates Inquiry Into Reported Misconduct By PIA Personnel

 

The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has instructed the Ministry of Defense to launch an external investigation into the purported mistreatment of Senator Bilal Ahmad Khan Mandokhail by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staff.

The order follows a privilege motion filed by the senator regarding a February 7, 2026, incident aboard flight PK-326 traveling from Quetta to Islamabad. The dispute specifically involves a flight attendant, Ms. Saima Rana.

Presiding over the session, Senator Waqar Mehdi and fellow committee members voiced significant disapproval of PIA’s response to the situation. Senator Mandokhail challenged the decision to seal the cabin doors, restrict passenger exit, and summon the Airport Security Force (ASF), arguing that no unlawful behavior had taken place to warrant such security measures.

The senator highlighted that if a public official is subjected to such conduct, the plight of average travelers is likely far worse, suggesting a private citizen might have faced immediate detention. Although Mandokhail originally sought the dismissal of both the pilot and the crew member, the committee ultimately opted for a formal, independent probe overseen by defense officials.