In recent years, a strange trend has been observed at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), where numerous employees have disappeared after traveling to Canada. Flight attendants, pilots and other crew members flying to Canada on official duties have failed to return to Pakistan. According to reports, twenty-two PIA employees have reportedly gone missing in Canada, with many seeking asylum from the Canadian government. While the reason is not officially known, the pattern highlights a growing defection among the airline’s workforce.
Commenting on this, Senior Pakistani journalist Zahid Gishkori said that PIA has been incurring continuous losses for many years. The benefits provided to PIA employees have been reduced. Additionally, the Pakistani government has decided to privatise the airline. Founded in October 1946, PIA is based at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, and is the second-busiest airport in Pakistan. In this situation, he suggests that it is possible that employees are resorting to the tactic of “disappearing” in Canada and seeking asylum in search of a secure future.
What is the reason behind this trend?
This development is attributed to the deteriorating economic situation in Pakistan in recent years and the privatisation of PIA. PIA claims that Canada’s refugee laws are broad in scope, which benefits PIA employees. Immigration observers in Canada say that people from many countries take advantage of Canada’s lenient refugee laws.
PIA bidding on December 23
Reportedly, Pakistan is set to hold bidding on December 23 to sell its state-owned carrier, PIA. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier met with corporate entities and company representatives involved in the process. A press release shared by state broadcaster PTV News quoted Sharif as saying “PIA’s bidding will take place on December 23, which will be broadcast live on all media. We are ensuring transparency and merit in the privatisation process.”
The loss-making airline is being privatised as part of a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, which requires the federal government to reform or divest struggling state enterprises. A previous attempt to offload PIA last year was scrapped as the government failed to receive a sufficiently attractive offer.
