Islamabad woke up to complicated and scandalous news after a Pakistan International Airlines plane landed in Toronto, Canada and it’s entire Crew and pilot surrendered and immediately filled for Asylum.
According to emerging details, the plane was scheduled to return to Islamabad after a two hour stopover.
However, “unfortunately, the entire crew of the aircraft, including the pilots, surrendered themselves to the authorities and applied for asylum,” Nasir Amany a social commentator said drawing in mixed reactions from platform X members.
Nasir added that after the asylum filing, “new pilots have been called in for the aircraft, and from now on, Pakistani planes will no longer operate direct flights in Canada.”
This is not the first case of Pakistanis seeking asylum in a similar manner.
Recent reports confirm multiple cases of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crew members going missing in Canada,
Immigration law experts explain that Canada’s lax asylum and immigration rules are often cited as a reason for PIA crew members to skip return flights, hoping to bypass normal processes and secure permanent residence in Canada.
In October 2024, Mohsin Raza failed to board their return flight to Islamabad after it arrived in Toronto.
Earlier that year in February, Maryam Raza left her flight attendant’s uniform in her hotel with a note saying “Shukria PIA,” which translates to thank you, PIA.”
One month later, PIA steward Jibran Baloch likewise absconded from his hotel, failing to show up for his return flight to Islamabad.
