PIA scandal: IHC rejects petition seeking Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan'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 Khan'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 interfere in this matter according to the law,' it added.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that, 'The government and the aviation ministry were fully aware of the consequences of their decision.' He further said that Pakistan's aviation industry has been praised worldwide.

Earlier the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its verdict on whether or not to hear a petition seeking the removal of Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan from his post following his remarks in the National Assembly about almost 40% of the country's pilots holding 'dubious licenses'.

The decision was reserved by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on a petition filed by...