“These PTC people never pass anyone."
A PIA official has been suspended after he allegedly asked a trainee female colleague for sexual favours in return for a pass on her exam.
The matter came to light on April 27, 2021, after an audiotape was leaked, allegedly featuring the conversation.
The audiotape was believed to have been leaked by the alleged victim.
It was reported that the accused was an official for the airline’s training centre.
The trainee, who is said to be a teenager, was at the centre, looking to take her exam for her development within the aviation industry.
Following the emergence of the leaked audio, PIA suspended the official, identified as Agha Waseem.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez stated that the national carrier is committed to upholding the highest moral behaviour at work.
An investigation is underway to determine if the conversation is legitimate.
He said: “On the recording that has surfaced, we have started our probe to see if the conversation is legit.”
Mr Hafeez added that PIA has zero tolerance towards indecent conduct and will ensure that strict action is taken against the accused.
In the leaked audiotape, Waseem is allegedly heard asking the trainee for sexual favours in exchange for a pass on her PTC exam.
He tells the teenager: “These PTC people never pass anyone. I am telling you.”
As he continues allegedly asking for sexual favours, the teenager maintains that she is not into that sort of stuff.
The PIA official replies: “Earlier, I wasn’t into it either.”
He goes on to claim that a woman had given sexual favours to another official for perks, adding that they later married.
Waseem said: “That’s how they got married.”
The disturbing conversation is believed to have gone on for four minutes, with the official repeatedly trying to persuade the teenager to perform a sex act on him.
After the video was leaked, PIA suspended the accused official immediately.
On the basis of sexual harassment, the accused has been asked to submit a reply within seven days.
PIA also said that the official has been issued with a show-cause notice and a committee has been formed to investigate the case to determine the truth.
While PIA continues to make efforts to improve its global image, the emergence of the sexual harassment case may tarnish its reputation.
Loading ...