PIA Air Hostess and Passengers Caught Smuggling Smartphones Worth Rs. 11 Million

Lahore airport customs officials conducted two major operations on Friday, seizing millions of rupees worth of mobile phones from a Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) air hostess and two passengers.

30 iPhones, valued at over Rs 11.2 million, were confiscated from PIA air hostess Nadia Batool after being discovered hidden on her person and belongings. Passengers Muhammad Arshad and Fariha Amin were also found with Rs 5.5 million worth of mobile phones in their luggage.

All three individuals were arrested and a case has been registered against them.

PIA has suspended the crew members of flight PK-204 from Dubai to Lahore following an operation targeting air hostesses. The airline has implemented its strict policy against employee misconduct in response to the incident.

A PIA spokesperson confirmed that any employee breaking the law will face severe consequences. The airline reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on illegal activities, emphasizing that the involved employees will be subject to strict disciplinary action.

Last month, customs authorities seized over two dozen iPhones from a man arriving at the Islamabad Airport. These iPhones included the newly launched iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at over Rs. 500,000 in Pakistan.

Customs officials seized the new iPhone 16 Pro Max in Pakistan recently. Thirty of these devices were confiscated from passengers arriving from the United Arab Emirates.

According to sources, a passenger from Quetta was allegedly attempting to smuggle the phones with the help of customs staff. However, the plan was foiled by other customs officials.