TORONTO – Pakistan International Airlines flight attendants continue to escape in Canada. Over the past few years, a troubling pattern emerged as some flight attendants and stewards simply never return home.
The national air carrier remained long embroiled in controversies ranging from pilots’ qualifications to privatization debates, is once again in the spotlight as reports emerge of its flight crew “going missing” in Canada.
The latest on list is attendant assigned to PK-798, who traveled from Toronto to Lahore, an failed to arrive at the airport on time. The crew member cited illness when contacted. PIA has launched an investigation into the incident, stating that if the absence is found to be unlawful, departmental action will be initiated.
This is not an solo incident. In 2024, during an unusually severe cold spell in Toronto, flight PK-782 at Pearson International Airport faced a similar situation when steward Jibran Baloch did not report for duty. Baloch, who had been with PIA for over a decade, did not join the crew for his scheduled flight.
Previously, flight attendants Maryam Raza, Faiza Mukhtar also did not return from Canada. In the last two months of 2023, four other crew members similarly failed to report back. According to Abdullah Hafeez Khan, over the past several years, ten PIA crew members have not returned from Canadian flights.
Experts point to multiple factors for this trend. Some suggest it is linked to Pakistan’s deteriorating economic situation and PIA’s potential privatization. PIA, however, claims the phenomenon is driven by Canada’s liberal asylum laws, which staff members exploit. Immigration experts note that such cases are not exclusive to Pakistan; individuals from various countries have similarly used Canadian immigration regulations.
Whats behind this Trend
Canadian immigration law allows flight crew members to enter on a General Declaration (GD) without a visa, provided their country has a reciprocal agreement. This document, which contains crew details, aircraft registration, and flight schedules, is intended to guarantee timely return. However, according to airline insiders, absences are carefully pre-planned with support networks in Canada.
Pearson International Airport falls under the jurisdiction of Peel Regional Police. Authorities confirmed that no missing person reports were filed, as police are typically alerted only by family or friends.
Both Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintain privacy policies that prevent commentary on individual cases.
Immigration consultants said Canada’s liberal asylum framework allows individuals to seek protection on arrival, and made it a preferred destination. Some applicants also leverage marriage-based sponsorships or work permits to eventually secure permanent residency.
While PIA has attempted to curb such incidents through measures like passport retention, bonds, and monitoring units, these have had limited effect. Experts stress that effective resolution will require cooperation between Pakistani authorities and Canadian immigration agencies.
PIA relaunches flights to top international tourist destination from Lahore: Details here
