ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staffer, identified as Faisal Majeed, was caught smuggling 16 expensive cellphones from Canada when he arrived at Islamabad airport on flight PK-782.
Customs officials found the phones wrapped around his body during a routine check. As a result, Majeed received a show-cause notice, requiring him to respond within three days.
The notice emphasized that his actions damaged PIA’s reputation and warned that failure to respond satisfactorily would lead to termination.
This incident isn’t the first of its kind May 2023, Pakistan Customs foiled a similar attempt to smuggle iPhones worth millions at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
Officials received a tip about a passenger arriving from Dubai and discovered over 35 iPhones, including XS and X-max models, valued at approximately Rs10 million. The passenger was unable to provide tax details, leading to a registered case against them.
The PIA staffer’s actions have raised concerns about smuggling and the airline’s reputation. The show-cause notice serves as a stern warning, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and stricter security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
