RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Intern­ational Airlines (PIA) flight steward went missing from his hotel after arriving in Toronto, Canada.

According to sources, Waqar Ahmad Jadoon performed his duties at PIA flight PK-781 which carried passengers from Islamabad to Toronto. He was staying with other crew members at a hotel in the city when he went missing.

The disappearance came to light when the senior staff of the airline tried to contact him in the hotel as he was scheduled to travel to Islamabad on the return flight on Jan 23.

Immediately after Mr Jadoon went missing, the PIA station manager and the headquarters were informed, and subsequently, the matter was reported to the local police. A PIA spokesman confirmed that the Canada border security agency and the police were informed about the missing staffer. He, however, said that the passport of the flight steward was lying with the PIA station manager in Toronto.

The spokesman said his indemnity was also lying with PIA and departmental proceedings will be initiated against him which may result in his termination from service.

The cabin crew members, according to SOPs, are required to deposit their passports with the station manager after immigration clearance and customs formalities. Their passports are returned at the time of check-in on departing flights.

The cabin crew members are instructed to restrict their movement due to the pandemic and no one is allowed to stay out of the hotel premises at night.

Four such cases in which PIA crew members, including an airhostess, went missing after landing in Canada have come to light over the past two and a half years. Earlier on Feb 1 last year, a flight steward of PIA reportedly went missing in Canada soon after the airline’s flight PK-798 landed in Toronto.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...