‘Biman pilot was not detained by immigration at Doha airport’

Biman Bangladesh Airlines today said a pilot of the national flag carrier, who was allegedly denied entry by Qatar immigration at Doha International Airport for not carrying his passport, was not detained or arrested by the authorities there.

Mentioning that some media outlets published reports that the pilot was “detained or arrested by the Qatar immigration” for not carrying his passport, Biman today issued a statement clarifying that no such incident of detention or arrest took place in this connection.

“After landing at the Doha airport on June 5, Captain Fazal Mahmud noticed that he was not carrying his passport. In this situation, he did not go to the immigration check-post at the airport and instead informed the Biman station manager in Doha and also Biman’s Dhaka office in this regard,” read the statement undersigned by Shakil Meraj, general manager (public relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

“Later, Captain Mahmud went to Orix transit hotel before the immigration check-post in the airport and stayed there. On June 6, he received his passport after it was sent from Bangladesh and completed his immigration formalities without any complication and went to Crown Plaza Hotel in Doha,” it read.

“Presently, he is staying at the hotel, and as per decision of Biman authorities he will operate the flight BG126 from Doha to Dhaka on June 10 morning.”

The authorities called upon all concerned not to spread any further confusion in this regard, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the government today formed two separate committees to investigate into the incident of the Biman pilot operating flight to Doha without carrying his passport.

A four-member inter-ministry body has been formed to investigate into the incident, led by Additional Secretary of Cabinet Division Mst Nasima Begum.

The probe body has been directed to submit its report to the Cabinet Division secretary within three working days, according to a gazette issued by the Cabinet Division this afternoon.

Another four-member probe body has been formed by the Security Services Division, led by Additional Secretary (security and departure) of the division Md Azharul Haque, and has been directed to submit its report within seven working days, according to a gazette issued by the division.