Air hostess arrested for attempt to smuggle foreign currency

LAHORE: Customs officials at Allama Iqbal International Airport arrested a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) airhostess for attempting to smuggle foreign currency.

The airhostess was taken off a Lahore-bound international flight after suspicion, Deputy Collector Customs Raja Bilal said.

The airhostess had concealed 140,000 Saudi riyals, equivalent to approximately $37,000, in her socks. During the search, customs officials discovered the currency hidden in various parts of her body. Deputy Collector Customs Raja Bilal stated that upon suspicion, the airhostess was offloaded from the flight to Jeddah. She was subsequently handed over to the Investigations and Prosecution (I&P) department after a case was registered against her. Raja Bilal said under the directives of the prime minister and chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), strict measures are being implemented to prevent currency smuggling, including zero-tolerance and 100pc checking protocols.

He revealed that intelligence reports regarding the smuggling of Saudi riyals prompted a thorough check of the national airline's crew. Other individuals involved in smuggling are under strict surveillance, ensuring that no one can escape from Lahore Airport without being caught. The Collector Customs Airport and Chief Collector Customs commended the staff for their successful operation. High-ranking officials of the national airline have been informed about the case registration and the smuggling attempt by the airhostess.

Man’s body recovered from Ravi

Body of a 28-year-old man was recovered from River Ravi in Shera Kot on Saturday. A passerby spotted the body floating in the river near Maula Baksh Darbar and alerted Police. A Rescue 1122 team reached the spot and fished out the body. The deceased person has been identified as Akram Nizam. Police said that the cause of death would be ascertained after autopsy.