A video attributed to Pakistan International Airlines has gone viral on social media, claiming that the pilot mistakenly landed a flight bound for Peshawar in Karachi. But a senior journalist associated with a major private TV channel has clarified the truth behind the video.

The footage shows passengers inside the aircraft arguing with airport security personnel.

Journalist Tariq Abulhasan explained that PIA flight PK-284, travelling from Dubai to Peshawar, made a technical landing at Karachi airport on Sunday night due to a mechanical issue.

According to him, passengers were kept inside the aircraft for several hours. Frustrated by not being moved to the lounge, they protested vigorously on the plane. The viral video depicts the protest.

After several hours, the passengers were eventually sent to Peshawar on a replacement flight.

Muhammad Ahmed, who appeared to be the pilot in the video, commented on the post to provide clarification. A technical issue arose after the aircraft collided with a pushback truck in Dubai, he said and added that the PIA arranged for the necessary parts, which were sent from Dubai via a private airline.

The pilot reached his duty limit of 12 hours, but the DGCA allowed him an additional four hours, resulting in a total of 16 hours needed to restore the aircraft. A technical landing was made to change the crew, as the operating staff was approaching their extended duty limits.

The journalist noted that a significant reason for technical issues in PIA aircraft these days is the “severe impact on maintenance due to a lack of spare parts.”

He explained that responsible officials in the Engineering Department state that despite an increase in revenue, the PIA management was “not purchasing necessary aircraft parts.”

Abulhasan has claimed that due to negligence by PIA’s senior management, several aircraft are grounded, with barely 17 out of 40 aircraft operational at this time.

He reported that officials have said that the PIA privatisation has led management to “halt” the purchase of parts for the aircraft.

The journalist pointed out that the most questionable role appears to be that of the head of the Engineering Department who has allegedly held the position for several years and has “progressively shut down engineering workshops, significantly limiting PIA’s engineering capabilities.” He also stated that the failure to procure spare parts in a timely manner is part of this individual’s policy.

In the past, he said that PIA’s Engineering Department was considered the “best in the region, capable of everything from conducting D-checks on aircraft to complete engine overhauls.”