PIA scandal: IHC rejects petition seeking Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar's removal.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected an appeal on whether or not to hear a petition seeking Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar's removal over his remarks in the National Assembly that a big chunk of the country's pilots held "dubious licenses" - some of whom were associated with the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah announced the decision on a petition filed by advocate Tariq Asad, who argued that Pakistan's image had suffered internationally due to the aviation minister's remarks that about almost 40% of the country's pilots had "dubious licenses".

The high court in its decision said the prime minister had the power to take action against the federal minister.

"If the country has been harmed due to the minister's remarks, it is the prime minister's job to take action,' the court remarked.

"We are excusing ourselves not to...