By Shumaila Aslam
Bureau Chief Pakistan
Snn News Finland
LAHORE, PAKISTAN A PIA air hostess foreign currency case was reported at Allama Iqbal International Airport after customs and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials recovered US dollars and Saudi riyals from a Pakistan International Airlines crew member scheduled to travel to Jeddah.
According to officials cited in multiple reports, the air hostess was offloaded from the Jeddah-bound flight following suspicion and was searched by authorities.
The search resulted in the recovery of $37,318 and 40,000 Saudi riyals, with the currency reportedly concealed in her socks.
PIA Air Hostess Foreign Currency Case
The incident took place at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport in July 2024. Customs officials worked with FIA immigration personnel during the operation before thePIA Air Hostess was prevented from continuing her journey to Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Collector Customs Raja Bilal was quoted by news outlets as saying that the currency was discovered after the crew member was taken off the flight and searched. The recovered money consisted of both US dollars and Saudi riyals.
The reports described the currency as being concealed in socks. Authorities subsequently handed thePIA Air Hostess over to an investigation team, while legal proceedings were initiated in connection with the alleged currency offence.
What Officials Recovered
The amount recovered by authorities included:
- US dollars: $37,318
- Saudi currency: 40,000 Saudi riyals
- Destination: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Airport: Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore
- Agencies involved: Customs and FIA immigration
- PIA Air Hostess
The recovery was reported by several Pakistani news organisations, including Dawn, The Express Tribune and Aaj English.
Their reports broadly matched on the amount recovered and the circumstances surrounding the offloading and search.
Key Facts
- A PIA air hostess was stopped at Lahore airport before a Jeddah-bound flight.
- Customs and FIA officials were involved in the operation.
- Authorities reported recovering $37,318 and 40,000 Saudi riyals.
- The currency was reportedly concealed in socks.
- The crew member was handed over to an investigation team after the incident.
- PIA Air Hostess
FAQs:
How much foreign currency was recovered?
Officials reported recovering $37,318 in US currency and 40,000 Saudi riyals.
Where did the incident happen?
The incident was reported at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.
Where was the air hostess travelling?
She was scheduled to travel on a PIA Air Hostess flight from Lahore to Jeddah.
Where was the currency reportedly hidden?
News reports said the currency was concealed in socks.
Was legal action taken?
Reports said the air hostess was handed over to an investigation team and that a case was registered following the recovery.
Investigation and Legal Action
Following the recovery, officials said the air hostess was handed over to an investigation team. Reports also stated that a case was registered and that further legal proceedings were underway.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the available reports do not establish a final finding of guilt against the PIA Air Hostess.
The available reports describe the incident as an alleged attempt to take foreign currency out of Pakistan, while the investigation and legal process were to determine the circumstances of the case.
The incident also drew attention because the person involved was a member of the national airline’s cabin crew. However, the available reports did not establish that the airline itself was involved in or responsible for the alleged act.
pia-air-hostess-foreign-currency-lahore-airport
About The Author
