Pakistan seeks clarification from Bangladesh on harassment of PIA crew, passengers

Bangladeshi intelligence officers reportedly harassing PIA officials for past two months

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has contacted Bangladesh High Commission, seeking clarification on Bangladeshi security agencies harassing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crew and passengers, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said on Thursday, Express News reported.

According to PIA sources, Bangladeshi intelligence officers have been harassing PIA officials for the past two months. Yesterday, PIA flight PK-266 was delayed for three hours for security checks.

PIA Station Manager Ali Abbass was also held by the security forces in Bangladesh and was later deported to Pakistan. Several raids have also been conducted on the houses of PIA officials on suspicion of smuggling fake currency.

Read: En route: PIA steward arrested with 4.5kg hashish

The aviation authority’s steward, identified as Irfanullah Shah, was arrested in possession of 4.5 kilogrammes of hashish concealed in his bag.

An ANF official, who requested not to be named, told The Express Tribune that the suspect, who hailed from Swabi, has been serving in PIA as steward for the last eight years. He was arrested outside the departure lounge during routine surveillance.