KARACHI: The management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Tuesday terminated the service of a flight steward who was caught by United Kingdom authorities at the Heathrow airport while trying to smuggle mobile phones through a PIA flight on Monday afternoon.

According to a PIA’s press release, flight steward Khurrum Shehzad was caught at the airport while he was boarding the flight PK 786 for Islamabad.

Sources said that Khurrum was arrested by UK authorities at the airport and after an overnight investigation he was released on Tuesday noon.

Know more: PIA sacks five crew members 'questioned' by London authority

Responding to Dawn queries, PIA spokesperson Aamir Memon said that the flight steward was on duty. During checking at the airport three mobile phones were found in his possession.

One of the mobile phones was allegedly a stolen one.

He said PIA had zero tolerance for corruption and illegal activities.

To a question if UK authorities would take any action against PIA in this regard, he said PIA had already informed UK authorities that it did not support illegal acts of its employees and such acts were an individual’s responsibility.

PIA had taken stern action against its employees whenever they were found involved in illegal activities, the spokesperson added.

The sources said that this was not the first time that PIA staffers had been caught for smuggling of electronics items, particularly mobile phones in foreign countries.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play