KARACHI: Shaheen Air International has resumed flight operations as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reopened the airline’s head office after it submitted a bank guarantee of Rs1.2 billion.
Director Marketing Zohaib Hassan in a statement confirmed, “As we had assured before Eid holidays we have been successful to restore the SAI head office after the submission of bank guarantee and detailed negotiation between SAI and FBR. It has been a great gesture by FBR as they have supported us and found the lawful way out from the present situation.”
Hassan also confirmed that the post-Hajj operation of Shaheen Air will begin today, 27th August. Hassan said, “In a few days, Shaheen Air will also resume its domestic operation.”
Earlier on 17th August FBR Inland Revenue team raided the Shaheen Air head office and sealed it. The reason FBR sealed it was because the airline was unable to pay its taxes on time. Thus a tax collection notice of Rs. 1.2 billion was sent to Shaheen Air. As the head office of the airline was sealed all local and international operations of Shaheen Air were halted.
Zohaib said, “On August 24 SAI provided a bank guarantee to FBR. On this FBR agreed to allow SAI to resume operations. The Airline not only has to fulfill Pakistani laws but also has to follow international laws. Due to this, the tax payment was delayed.”
