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Fakhr-e-Alam defends man arrested for flying 'homemade' airplane

The TV anchor calls for the government to support people interested in innovation

Updated 02 Apr, 2019

TV anchor and aviation enthusiast Fakhr-e-Alam, who made headlines last year for becoming the first Pakistani to circumnavigate the globe solo, has defended the man from Arifwala who was arrested on Sunday for attempting to operate "a flying device" he had invented.

According to a report in Dawn, the man took his mini-airplane on its maiden flight on Sunday, using the metal link road as a runway and took several rounds in the air before he was discovered by the police. He was placed in 'protective custody' for flying his mini-airplane without a government-issued permit. His plane has been confiscated on the orders of the court.

The man from Arifwala invented an airplane — Photos: FakhreAlam/Twitter

While the inventor has since been released after being fined Rs3000, Fakhr-e-Alam has strongly criticised the government's treatment of him.

He hailed the man as "a hero" and "a legend" and criticised the government for not encouraging a resourceless man for his innovativeness. He acknowledged that he may have broke the regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority but stressed that government needs to facilitate his efforts and help him comply with the law. Citing examples of homemade airplanes from around the world, he called for the government to provide better opportunities to people interested in exploring STEM:

Comments

Rizwan Apr 02, 2019 12:01pm

I stand with fakhr, this guy is our hero. The government should encourage him in his efforts.

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M. Emad Apr 02, 2019 12:01pm

Pakistan's 'flyingman' should be given job in PIA.

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R S Chakravarti Apr 02, 2019 12:03pm

The man is a hero. Pakistan should encourage brilliant minds like his and discourage terrorists.

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Socrates Apr 02, 2019 12:04pm

There are ways to innovate and to do related things especially when such an innovation is going to imperil innovator's own life and that of others. Imagine everyone innovating a flying plane and using it in the air. Imagine 200 million Pakistanis flying over Pakistani territory and imagine the catastrophic collissions in the skies. Did this man's seek a license for this innovation ? Does his innovation meet the necessary safety measures? Did this man ensure that his innovation would not cause security hazards for sensitive installations in the country? Please, please, please do not get emotional and be carried away by such small developments. We in Pakistan have not been able to create a common sewing needle, let alone flying machines. I do not know when we shall be able to mature and see sense.

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AW Apr 02, 2019 12:06pm

Would the Pakistani laws and the government please leave the Stone Age and step into 21st century?

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Ayaz Munir Apr 02, 2019 12:13pm

I appreciate his innovation, but a highly hazardous task like flying without any official approval is very dangerous. What if he would have flown the object and would have crashed resulting in severe casualties. Yes we need innovation but documented ones.

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Kashif Apr 02, 2019 12:20pm

Well I agree with him on this, its most distasteful and ignorant of the policeman/government to arrest a man who is an enthusiast, had wright brothers born in Pakistan there wouldn't be a any planes in sky for very long time...

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Kumar(Varanasi) Apr 02, 2019 12:51pm

People with truly original and innovative bent of mind are few and far between, like diamonds scattered accidentally here and there , seldom to be found in large numbers or in places renowned for punditry and ivy league credentials.

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Azim Khan Apr 02, 2019 12:54pm

Cn u drive a car without license? If not how can u fly a home made plane. Do u have congregational skills. Take license and try. How can u be a hero if u break the law?

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Shampee Apr 02, 2019 01:16pm

when a matric passed can fly National Airline, why can't he?

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Marcus Apr 02, 2019 01:42pm

When the world get hold of this story it will embarrass Pakistan policing system. The government need to intervene and reprimand the individual and get him into some programme he clearly is creative and this needs to be lookaftered.

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fairplay Apr 02, 2019 02:07pm

Agree, encourage and support him, dont fine and jail him. He is an entrepreneur and innovator.

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Irfan UK Apr 02, 2019 02:11pm

It makes me so angry at our system and our priorities when I see this happening to our inventors. Finally Dawn has decided to display the picture of this home made machine, it just shows how important we as a nation think inventors and pioneers are. We are becoming like sheep and just ever ready to follow the world but when we have heroes like this poor man trying to show us the way, we put them in jail, what a shame.

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huma yousaf Apr 02, 2019 02:55pm

i agree with him

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Go Dreamer Go Apr 02, 2019 03:08pm

He should be allowed to become a part of a national incubation centre, where he can further nurture and groom his idea in consultation with other aviation experts and be able to refine his prototype into a flying car. Would it not be wonderful if a university like NUST seizes on the opportunity and have this Pakistani man make his dream come true for himself and Pakistan.

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Sami Apr 02, 2019 03:24pm

This man needs to be celebrated. Expunge his arrest record. Show him how to work with the laws. Accommodate and amend the laws to encourage innovation and enterprise. In the US there is a category of flying machines called experimental. I am not sure if the CAA has one as well.

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RAW IS WAR Apr 02, 2019 03:24pm

Innovation cannot be suppressed.

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Khan Apr 02, 2019 03:38pm

Give this man a grant and a medal!

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Ahmad Apr 02, 2019 03:54pm

The government should encourage him in his efforts.

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Pakistani Apr 02, 2019 04:08pm

Not taking anything away from the individual but one can not let loose a flying machine without an airworthiness certificate. The aircraft can not only put the life of the pilot but the people on the ground in danger.

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Haris Apr 02, 2019 04:18pm

This man is an example of unshakeable dedication. He should be portrayed as a hero. He IS a hero!

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Jawaid Islam Apr 02, 2019 04:26pm

Encourage the man, please! Attitude by law enforcing agencies should change, they are living in the dark ages. There should be massive changes inn policies.

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Shahzad Apr 02, 2019 04:34pm

@Ayaz Munir did the Wright brothers have a license to fly a plane too. The man is a genius for making a plane in a village.

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Ahmed Apr 02, 2019 05:10pm

Seriously there is a law sir. What if he had crashed somewhere and ended up hurting someone or causing loss of life and property. And government needs to encourage innovation doesnot mean people even before contacting the government take law in their hands and start testing their innovatons.

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Khurshid Apr 02, 2019 05:21pm

It's very sad as to why this man was arrested in the first place. Just to grab some money out of this poor chap. Phethetic Punjab police. Instead he should me sponsered by government and polish his talent. PM Imran Khan and CM Buzdar must take notice. He can be an asset to the country. It will be sheer waist of talent if we let it go un-noticed.

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Awan Apr 02, 2019 05:58pm

@Ayaz Munir Kindly stop these "buts" and "ifs". Europeans are known as daredevils and that is why they innovate a lot. Every new innovation starts with a dare in my view. The people like you are the typical mindset of Pakistanis and that is why we are not progressing. The criticism machines should stop churning their material for a while. Thanks.

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A pakistani Apr 02, 2019 06:21pm

If this was in any European or Western country, they would probably interview this guy and a reputable aeronautics company would probably hire this man to give him an opportunity to hone his skills. But in Pakistan, he's arrested. Yes Pakistan is improving, but in all this parade of improvement, our country shouldn't lose its heart.

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karr Apr 02, 2019 06:51pm

I agree. While aviation needs to be regularized, this man should not be punished

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Alam Apr 02, 2019 07:00pm

Flying is not illegal but flying an nonapproved aircrafy without government permission is totally illegal . It jeopardize the lives of thousands of people !

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Arif Apr 02, 2019 07:27pm

No doubt innovation should be encouraged but all regulation have to be followed if we don't want chaos.

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tuk Apr 02, 2019 07:35pm

@Ayaz Munir You know how hard it is to get anyhing approved by Pakistani bureaucracy unless you 'attach wheels to the files'. He would have died waiting for approval. This way at least he got some publicity which hopefully will make approval easier. I'm sure he must have considered safety as he did not hurt anybody!

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Zeeshan Ahmed Apr 02, 2019 07:37pm

While commendable, this man needs to go through all regulatory approvals for public safety.

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Zack Khan Apr 02, 2019 07:41pm

on what charges was he arrested?

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Azam Kadeer Apr 02, 2019 07:47pm

He must re given a job or listen to him and create a endearment so he can develop some things more he is a genius man so do not waste him use him before other give him visa and he is gone oversea so other can benefit form his knowledge

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manzer Apr 02, 2019 07:52pm

The police had no choice, they had to stop him from flying. Now it is the time for the civil society to come together and reward the great innovator. We should support him financially and find a way to make his dream come true.

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M Apr 02, 2019 07:59pm

What the hell are we doing? Instead of encouraging people with innovative ideas, we are arresting and imposing fines so others should never try any innovation or invention to bring Pakistan to the modern world's advanced technology. The rules used were designed by the British to keep us behind and we haven't been able to abandon them because they serve the elite to keep the nation poor and behind. Shame on us.

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Ahmed Apr 02, 2019 08:25pm

Hero ! let the man fly in the land of pure folk have talent good work

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Frantic Apr 02, 2019 08:35pm

@R S Chakravarti - I agree. I discourage you to leave comments on Pakistani newspapers website. There..done.

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Sami Apr 02, 2019 08:59pm

Threat to Waderas-shut down the school that produced people like this inventor. No one is supposed to invent anything except the ELITE. confiscate everything this person owns--Rs.300 fine--that is one meal for that Thana staff. What a shame !

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zia Apr 02, 2019 09:03pm

Pakistan has always treated his hero badly. This was prototype and flight was experiment and no permit is needed for experiment until it becomes commercial. very bad response from government and police. guy a hero.

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zahid Apr 02, 2019 09:40pm

@Socrates Even patent laws are misused in the West. But it does not mean that patents should be banned.

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Tariq Abbasi Apr 02, 2019 09:42pm

His efforts must be appropriated. However, he needs lessons on his own safety along with others. More better support from the government will certainly encourage him as well as other youth to invention and entrepreneurship.

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truth Apr 02, 2019 09:42pm

By that logic, Malik Riaz should be your hero too Fakhar. Exploit the system because people will defend you in the name of liberty, poverty or progress.

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HonorBright Apr 02, 2019 09:51pm

Even a hero can't violate the laws of the land, learn this because i remember you forgot to comply with some law in your navigational adventure as well...by the bye both of you deserve respect and applause

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HonorBright Apr 02, 2019 09:53pm

Now that we have punished our hero for his recklessness, it's time to reward him for his being innovative..

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nadeem khan Apr 02, 2019 10:05pm

Who is this guy? And why is he getting coverage? Come on...... trying new gimmicks all the time to stay in spotlight. Now hes trying to emerge as a aviation guru. ? Music didnt work? Rapping? Acting ? Pfff

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Pak Khan Apr 02, 2019 10:06pm

Exactly my thoughts when I read about him! Someone invents a plane and we arrest him, someone makes a car that runs from water, we make him a joke .. while we hail our useless cricketers as hero on winning a no-good trophy!

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Fazal Karim Apr 02, 2019 10:38pm

To become good engineer only good score in exams is not enough, aptitude is more important, which should be determined by honest examiners before admission in engineering colleges This weakness in selection is also responsible in failure of engineering industry in Pakistan.

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M. Saeed Apr 02, 2019 10:52pm

Brain waves can land in any mind for creating wonders.

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Mumtaz Ahmed Shah Apr 03, 2019 12:12am

Yes i do agree with the views of Mr. Alam,sure he is our hero.(Texas )

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Zak Apr 03, 2019 12:13am

He seems to have ingenuity, his machine should be developed to next stage. CAA should give him grant. He shoukd show engineering stuufents how he did it,

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Zak Apr 03, 2019 12:13am

Salute to Fakhre Alam. Well said.

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Sameer Apr 03, 2019 12:17am

Reminds me of this hollywood movie where a farmer builds a rocket ship to go in to space. MashAllah, passion is everything. Passion can take Pakistan in to the final frontier.

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Fareeha Apr 03, 2019 02:21am

This is a sad reflection of the 'lakeer k fakeer' mentality of Pakistani authorities if not the police. Anyone with the little bit of power ends up exerting where it is least required and most pointless . Why was his flying machine automatically treated with suspicion? Its obviously not a spy drone! That fine was so petty! They should refund him immediately and apologise Why are you punishing innovation and creativity when you should be rewarding and celebrating it?? The police responsible for this fiasco should be reprimanded and sent for retraining to be able to recognise crimes properly . They don't investigate the serious crimes they should and instead resort to collecting inappropriate fines. Easy money!

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RationalBabu Apr 03, 2019 02:22am

@Pak Khan , he didn’t invent a plane, he built one. And someone invented a car that runs on water! When did that happen? How did the world miss such a significant event?

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Ihtsham Haq Apr 03, 2019 02:34am

I support Arifwala man.

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A Apr 03, 2019 03:10am

Every country does same thing. You can not put others life at risk by flying things which are not perfect.

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Zaheer Apr 03, 2019 07:33am

What kind of innovation it is? Firstly, he is totally wasting time and resources, everyone can build a airplane using internet resources. It is same like he is innovating wheel again. Secondly, we (Pakistani) do not bother whether we obeying law or not. He was violating law, endangering the lives of the people and his own.

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BILAL Apr 03, 2019 07:56am

This guy is a hero. Should be encouraged and we should take pride in our talent.

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Faraz Apr 03, 2019 08:01am

Imran Khan's only aim is to stoop Pakistan to the level that it always begs for aid and leave the citizens in a welfare state always looking for handouts. If anyone dares to innovate or make his life better or better for the public, under Imran Khan he should be arrested and jailed.

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Faraz Apr 03, 2019 08:04am

@Socrates If a pessimistic person like you were alive during Wright brothers era, we'd still be riding camels and donkeys.

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Faraz Apr 03, 2019 08:05am

@Ayaz Munir I'm sure he took all precautionary measure not to fly near populous places. Stop damning this guy.

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Munir Mughal Apr 03, 2019 08:40am

Need encouragement not incarcerations,

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Munir Mughal Apr 03, 2019 08:41am

Need encouragement not incarcerations

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Sunny Sarvagya Apr 03, 2019 10:18am

He deserves appreciation..

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Aqib shah Apr 03, 2019 02:35pm

I also think like that our government need to encourage this man and give all the facilty he want ...we need this type of intelligent people

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Student Apr 03, 2019 02:58pm

I disagree with Fakhr-e-Alam's suggestion that both education is a "businesses" as opposed to a public service. Yes, innovation is important and has to be encouraged. The private sector is one place to foster this but it cannot replace the role of the government. In particular, education - at a certain level of rigor and quality- is a fundamental right that has to be guaranteed by a government in a university or school setting. Innovation can be further encouraged through ample funding to researchers in these universities, as in the case of the United States, where the government - via the National Science Foundation - provides grants for scientific research. The government is the best agent to provide this funding since it is less prone to set its priorities according to profits or the economy. Good luck to the aviator from Pakpattan and hope he will be able to supplement his creativity with rigorous education from a university.

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RK Apr 03, 2019 05:01pm

Should be hired by a company immediately. He is an asset of the nation that should be protected. May be called by IK, the PM of Pakistan for giving him free hand.

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Alam Khan Apr 03, 2019 05:51pm

This man who invented this light plane should be encouraged by the government, should be given the job. We should benefit from his passiy

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Narendran Apr 03, 2019 06:41pm

Hi Its narendran from India. Great work. You should keep up the work and make peace with your inventions!!!

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