Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is once again in the spotlight after a flight attendant went missing during a layover in Toronto for the third time this year. Asif Najam, a senior cabin crew member with the Karachi-based airline, failed to report for the return flight three days after operating flight PK798 from Lahore to Toronto last Sunday.
According to information reported by Gulf News, all attempts to contact Najam were unsuccessful. When the airline was informed, “health issues” were cited as the reason for his failure to show up for the return flight.
This incident marks the third time in 2025 that a PIA cabin crew member has gone missing during a Canada layover.
PIA Launches Official Investigation
PIA did not respond to a request for comment from the Toronto Sun, but told Gulf News that an official investigation had been initiated.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan stated:
“When contacted, he cited health issues as the reason. The matter is being investigated and necessary action will be taken if he is found to have disappeared.”
According to airline data, eight PIA crew members failed to board their return flights from Canada during the 2022–2023 period.
Canada’s Asylum Rules Attract PIA Crew Members
Experts say Canada’s “more flexible” asylum and immigration policies are encouraging some PIA employees to attempt to remain in the country. The motivation behind avoiding return flights is reportedly the hope of bypassing normal procedures to secure permanent residency in Canada.
This situation is not new.
Cases from 2024:
- October 2024: Mohsin Raza did not board the return flight after landing in Toronto.
- February 2024: Flight attendant Maryam Raza left her uniform in her hotel with a note saying “Shukria PIA” (Thank you PIA).
- March 2024: PIA staff member Jibran Baloch also left the hotel and did not join the return flight.
Passport Submission Measure Also Failed to Provide a Solution
PIA had implemented various measures to prevent crew members from disappearing in Toronto. These steps included requiring flight attendants to hand over their passports to authorities upon arrival. However, this measure also failed to stop the escapes.
It is noted that this trend during Canada layovers is complicating the airline’s operational planning, and PIA is working on more comprehensive measures to address the issue.
