MULTAN: Uncovering a notable smuggling operation at Multan airport, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced embarrassment as five crew members on board flight PK-222 from Dubai were caught with 78 smuggled iPhones.
The operation began when customs officials discovered 24 iPhones hidden by two female flight attendants. Later, during questioning, the air hostesses revealed several male colleagues, resulting in the recovery of 54 more devices from their possession.
PIA management sources confirmed on condition of anonymity that disciplinary action would be initiated against all the involved crew members.
The discovery not only highlights the ongoing security concerns at international ports but also deals a serious blow to PIA’s corporate image, as the national carrier is busy maintaining its reputation in the competitive aviation sector. The involvement of multiple crew members suggests a coordinated effort rather than an isolated incident.
This is not the first time that PIA’s own staff has been caught smuggling phones into Pakistan. In another crackdown at Lahore International Airport in October last year, customs officials seized smuggled mobile phones worth over Rs16.7 million in two separate operations, leading to the arrest of several people, including a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendant.
PIA air hostess Nadia Batool, who was serving on flight PK204 from Dubai, was arrested with 30 iPhones hidden on her person and in her luggage. The seized devices were worth crores of rupees. 11.2 million in a parallel operation, passengers Muhammad Arshad and Fariha Amin were caught trying to smuggle mobile phones worth Rs5.5 million in luggage.
