In Toronto, a note expressing gratitude to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was discovered in a hotel room following a search, as reported by several Russian news agencies.
Typically, such a note might be anticipated from a satisfied passenger after a pleasant flight experience. However, in this instance, the note bearing the message "Thank you, PIA" was actually penned by a member of the airline's cabin crew, not by a contented traveler.
Identified as Maryam Raza, the individual behind the note was a PIA employee who had arrived in Toronto on a flight from Islamabad on February 26. However, she failed to report for duty on her scheduled return flight to Karachi the following day.
Upon entering her hotel room, authorities discovered not only her PIA uniform but also the aforementioned note expressing appreciation for the airline, as reported by Dawn.
Maryam Raza's situation is not an isolated incident within the PIA; rather, it aligns with a broader pattern of crew members vanishing upon arrival in Canada. Her disappearance follows a similar occurrence involving another PIA flight attendant, Faiza Mukhtar, in January 2024.
This phenomenon has become a growing concern for the PIA, which is grappling not only with financial and credibility challenges but also with the repercussions of such incidents.
The trend of PIA crew members seeking asylum in Canada has been ongoing since at least 2018 and has intensified in recent years, according to various media outlets. Last year alone, seven PIA flight attendants reportedly disappeared after arriving in Canada.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan attributes these disappearances to Canada's perceived leniency in asylum policies. He contends that the allure of seeking asylum abroad may stem from concerns over the airline's future and the financial struggles faced by its employees.
Despite attempts to downplay the severity of the situation, these incidents have drawn unwanted attention and criticism, both domestically and internationally, casting a shadow on the reputation of Pakistan's national carrier.
