Biman claims pilot Fazal was not detained at Doha airport

Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Friday said the pilot who was allegedly held by the Doha International Airport immigration in Qatar for operating a flight without any passport was not detained or arrested, reports UNB.

Clarifying the matter in a statement, the national flag carrier said no incident of detention or arrest took place there.

On 5 June, Fazal Mahmud reached the Doha Hamad International Airport in Qatar operating an aircraft from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka without any passport, it said.

After landing the Doha airport, the matter came to his notice.

He did not go to the immigration check-post and rather informed the Biman station manager in Doha and the Dhaka office of the matter.

On 6 June, he took the passport by another flight to Qatar.

Meanwhile, the government has formed two panels to investigate the incident.

A four-member inter-ministerial body has been formed with additional secretary of the cabinet division Nasima Begum as its head to look into the matter.

The committee has been directed to submit its report within three working days.

Another four-member probe body has been formed by the security services division of the home ministry. The probe body, led by additional secretary of the division Md Azharul Haque, has been asked to come up with the report by seven workdays.