PIA flight steward suspended for smuggling 16 mobile phones

A senior flight steward of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Faisal Majeed Pehnwar, was suspended for smuggling mobile phones from Canada. According to Express News, customs officials discovered 16 mobile phones hidden on his person, leading to immediate disciplinary action by the PIA management.

According to the show-cause notice issued by the General Manager of PIA Flight Services, the phones were found during the customs check for passengers arriving on the flight.

The notice stated, “Upon your arrival at the [Karachi] airport, 16 mobile phones were discovered concealed on your body. This behaviour constitutes a violation of the employee disciplinary policy, leading to your immediate suspension from duty.”

The airline further emphasised that any misuse of company privileges and involvement in smuggling activities would not be tolerated. Pehnwar has been instructed to provide a written response to the notice within three days, addressing the allegations against him.

PIA continues to face scrutiny over operational integrity, and this incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding smuggling activities within the aviation sector.