A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendant has been sent on judicial remand after being caught smuggling foreign currency at Allama Iqbal International Airport. Customs officials produced the suspect, identified only by her initials A.Q., before a magistrate on Saturday.
Customs authorities detained A.Q. on Friday after discovering a substantial amount of Saudi riyals concealed in her socks during a body search. A video showing the cabin crew member removing the currency notes has since gone viral on social media.
An FIR was filed against A.Q., a resident of Vehari, who was preparing to board PIA flight PK 203 from Lahore to Dubai. Customs Deputy Collector Raja Bilal Naseem revealed that 140,000 Saudi riyals (approximately 10.4 million rupees) were recovered from the suspect during the search. Naseem added that Customs authorities had received intelligence reports indicating a potential currency smuggling attempt on this flight.
The suspect has been charged under Section 139 of The Customs Act, 1969. This section stipulates that any passenger or crew member attempting to smuggle currency, gold, precious metals, or stones by concealing them in their baggage will face smuggling charges.
A PIA spokesperson stated that if the air hostess is found guilty following the trial, she will be terminated from her position immediately.
