Karachi
A Quetta-bound passenger on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi was mistakenly flown to the Iranian city of Zahedan by the national flag carrier without a passport and visa, The News learnt on Saturday.
According to PIA sources, a passenger was travelling to Quetta from Karachi on PK-196 that was going to Zahedan via Quetta.
The passenger, whose name was not disclosed by the PIA authorities, was held briefly by the Iranian authorities. However, the PIA pilot requested them to let the passenger go as his arrival at the Iranian airport was a mistake by the airline’s staff. Later, the Iranian authorities allowed the pilot to take the passenger back to Quetta on PK-197.
It was learnt that the Quetta-bound passenger was not checked by the PIA or the FIA staff prior to the flight’s taking off for Zahedan.
Confirming that the incident occurred, PIA spokesman Sultan Hasan said the passenger had slept during the flight. Nobody checked him and as a result, he was flown to Zahedan. “A PIA duty officer at the Quetta airport has been suspended and an inquiry into the incident has been started.”
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