President Arif Alvi awarded a presidential gold medal to a PIA pilot Maqsood Bajrani for his presence of mind when he decided to take off the national flag carrier’s plane from Kabul airport amid uncertainty after the Taliban takeover.
President Arif Alvi while honouring the courage showed by the PIA pilot awarded him with the presidential gold medal after he took off the plane after fighter jets without instructions from the air traffic controller (ATC) in Kabul.
The PIA has also praised Captain Maqsood Bajrani for bringing its plane from Kabul during a crisis-like situation.
In a letter issued by the PIA administration, the pilot and crew were appreciated for their heroic rescue of the countrymen from the Kabul airport.
In a crisis situation, the staff discharged their duties efficiently, the letter read and add the use of understanding, experience and skills is a sign of a real professional
It is to be noted that Captain Bajrani of Airbus A320 was waiting to get clearance from Air Traffic Control when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Sunday. “Take your own decision,” one of the cabin crew said following which Captain Bajrani of PIA flight PK6252 chose to take off for Islamabad.
