ISLAMABAD, March 7: The National Accountability Bureau has initiated a criminal inquiry into an aircraft lease and some contracts signed by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (CPAL) and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), suspecting involvement of several people in an underhand deal, said a press release issued by the NAB.

It said the lease agreement between the CPAL and PIA had been signed in 1999 for five Boeing 747-300 aircraft. The lease was extended for five years in 2001.

According to the NAB, the PIA purchased six Boeing 747-300 aircraft in 2002, including the leased ones, from the CPAL.

Government sources told Dawn that PIA suffered a loss of millions of dollars because of purchase of two 747 Boeings which were said to be not fit for flying.

The sources alleged that four or five people and a middleman were involved in irregularities in the lease agreement for the aircraft.

They said that under the lease agreement of 1999, PIA had to get five Boeing 747-300 aircraft. However, seven planes were obtained by irregular means.

The PIA authorities, they said, had given approval for five aircraft but seven were obtained, including the two which were not fit for flying.

The sources said that people involved in the scam had allegedly received commission through a middleman for pushing the deal through.