MULTAN: Customs officials at Multan International Airport have uncovered a major smuggling operation involving Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cabin crew, resulting in the seizure of 78 high-end mobile phones, including iPhones, from a Dubai-Multan flight.
The operation was led under the supervision of Collector Customs Farrukh Cheema and Deputy Collector Maryam Haq, who confirmed the involvement of five PIA staff members in the smuggling attempt. Initial suspicions were raised when customs authorities conducted a routine inspection of the baggage of two air hostesses, Nishat and Sadaf Nasir, recovering 24 iPhones concealed in their belongings.
Upon further investigation and based on the confessions of the air hostesses, three additional PIA crew members Muhammad Imran, Khalid Khan, and Faisal Pervaiz were called back from their hotel. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 54 more iPhones, bringing the total to 78 devices valued in the millions of rupees.
According to Collector Farrukh Cheema, the smuggled devices were intended to bypass legal customs channels, constituting a significant breach of aviation and customs protocols. Deputy Collector Maryam Haq highlighted the importance of dismantling such networks, emphasizing, “This successful operation demonstrates our commitment to curbing smuggling activities and holding those involved accountable, regardless of their position.”
The implicated PIA staff members have been taken into custody, and a detailed investigation has been launched to identify any additional accomplices or networks facilitating such illicit activities. Authorities are also exploring whether this incident is part of a broader smuggling syndicate operating within the national carrier.
This scandal has reignited concerns over internal oversight at PIA, with critics calling for stringent reforms and enhanced monitoring of airline staff to prevent future incidents. Officials have assured that those involved will face strict legal consequences to deter similar violations in the future.
As the investigation progresses, the customs department has reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict measures to safeguard the country’s economic and legal frameworks.
