1.3m Afghan refugees repatriated, NA told

ISLAMABAD: In a major turnaround after suffering consistent losses in previous years, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) achieved an operational profit of Rs9.35bn and net profit of Rs26.20bn (after adjustment of deferred tax) during FY2024.

The PIA incurred total expenditures of Rs198.8 billion under all major heads, and the total net income of Rs9.35bn after deducting all liabilities, taxes, and financial obligations.

This information was given in a written response by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to a question by Syed Hussain Tariq.

Giving a break-up of the expenditure, the defence minister told the National Assembly that fuel cost consumed Rs75.58 billion, aircraft maintenance cost Rs17.48 billion, landing and handling charges cost Rs29.42 billion, salaries and wages consumed Rs17.24 billion, lease rentals took away Rs7.90 billion, depreciation cost Rs12.10 billion, aircraft insurance cost Rs5.40 billion, passenger service expenses took away Rs4.20 billion, selling expenses consumed Rs4.30 billion and Rs28.17 billion were spent over others heads.

After deducting all taxes and financial charges, the net income totalled Rs26.204 billion. The PIA’s total liabilities, including both domestic and international obligations, amount to Rs187.28 billion.

To maintain its recent profitability and position itself for future success, PIA is implementing key strategic initiatives, including financial restructuring, operational efficiency improvements, fleet upgrades, and sustainability-driven practices. The accounts duly approved by the PIACL Board have been placed on the company’s website as well as the SECP for quick reference and consumption by the general public.

To another question of Ms Sehar Kamran about Pakistanis deported from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries on the pretext of begging during the last three years, Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi stated that over 5,402 Pakistani nationals were deported from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf countries on the pretext of begging during the year 2024 and 2025. This included 4,498 from Saudi Arabia, 242 from Iraq, 55 from Malaysia, 2 from Oman, 4 from Qatar and 49 from the UAE. As many as 552 people were deported during 2025 on the pretext of begging from Malaysia and Gulf countries. Of these, 535 were deported from Saudi Arabia, 5 from Iraq, one from Malaysia, 2 from Qatar and 9 from the UAE.

The interior minister told the NA that 1,377,024 Afghan refugees (POR holders) were repatriated to Afghanistan through the UNHCR repatriation programme since 2007. Furthermore, under the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP) 1,002,230 illegal Afghans, including holders of ACC, were repatriated since November 2023 till May 7, 2025.