Pakistan

PIA staffer returns £7,500 to Lahore businessman at Heathrow

Passenger forgot wallet in aircraft, left for immigration: PIA spokesperson

Hasaan Ali Khan August 01, 2018

PIA staff member Khalid Bashir returned cash and belongings to the lucky passenger. PHOTO: PIA

KARACHI: Bad press and national flag-carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) often go hand in hand. With the beleaguered airline routinely courting controversy, good news on this account is very welcome.

Just like two women piloting a Gilgit-bound PIA flight left the nation riveted, a company staffer has returned £7,500 left by a passenger in a case of great probity. PIA Spokesperson Mashood Tajwar said Lahore-based businessman Zahid Shakir was travelling to London on Wednesday when he forgot his wallet before disembarking from the aircraft.

Khalid Bashir of the company alerted Station Manager Sajid Khan who returned the wallet to Shakir. "We contacted him and I personally returned his belongings. He was extremely grateful," the station manager said. "We [PIA] are mostly painted in a negative light, but you can't downplay our honesty here," he added.

Social media celebrates as PIA female pilots fly challenging Gilgit flight

Earlier, the national flag-carrier made headlines after two women piloted an Islamabad-Gilgit flight in June. “The flight to Gilgit is very challenging and requires a lot of precision and technique. Our dynamic duo, Captain Maryam Masood and First Officer Shumaila Mazhar make it look so easy as they fly through the mountains celebrating the beauty of our northern areas! Way to go!!” the airline said in a tweet.

COMMENTS (7)

bozo | 5 years ago | Reply This honesty was based upon the person's grooming and tarbeyat. I hope PIA itself is concentrating on developing good organizational behavior that promotes honesty, integrity and truthfulness. Hats off to your act of kindness Sir, indeed such acts are very rare in this day and age.

Hasan | 5 years ago | Reply @Javed & @Ahmed Farooqi: The amount you're allowed to take on international travel out of Pakistan is Rs 3,000 in local currency and USD 10,000 in foreign currency per person for personal expenses. You can't expect to travel abroad and not have a reasonable amount of money for personal expenses. Now, as GBP 7,500 comes to around USD 9,800, there is no question of illegality or money laundering. Great work by PIA staff, must be appreciated.