Several Pakistani air hostesses from the debt-ridden country’s national carrier have mysteriously disappeared after landing in refugee-friendly Canada. The series of vanishing acts, spanning over a few years, has raised concerns and questions about the airline’s management and the circumstances surrounding these incidents.
The latest case emerged recently when a note expressing gratitude to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was found in a Toronto hotel room, Pakistan Today reported. However, the note wasn’t penned by a satisfied passenger but by an air hostess named Maryam Raza, who failed to report for duty on her return flight to Karachi after arriving from Islamabad. This incident is in line with the trend among PIA crew members, with Maryam’s disappearance marking the second such instance in 2024 alone.
Last month, another PIA flight attendant, Faiza Mukhtar, also vanished after landing in Canada, according to Pakistan’s Duniya News. Faiza vanished in Toronto when the flight landed at the Toronto airport. Her disappearance could not be noticed until the flight returned to Pakistan, according to a PIA spokesperson.
These occurrences follow a pattern that has been escalating since 2019, with Pakistani flight attendants disappearing after arriving in Canada. While PIA officials attribute them to Canada’s liberal asylum policies, experts point to low salaries and concerns about the airline’s future as contributing factors. According to the UN Refugee Agency, if a person fears persecution in their country or is at risk of cruel treatment or torture, they can claim refugee protection in Canada.
Many PIA crew members, facing economic hardships and uncertain prospects in Pakistan, see seeking asylum in Canada as a means of escaping their circumstances. The situation has garnered attention from both Pakistani and international media outlets, with reports highlighting the challenges faced by PIA in retaining its employees and managing its reputation.
The airline’s management has been rebuked for its inability to address these issues effectively, leading to embarrassment and scrutiny from Canadian authorities. Despite attempts to downplay the severity of the trend, PIA officials acknowledge the challenges they face in retaining their workforce. The airline’s privatisation, approved by the country’s caretaker cabinet, reflects broader efforts to revamp the struggling airline and improve its financial viability.
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