Pakistani Airhostesses Continue Canada ‘Disappearing Act’ Amid Crisis Back Home
Another Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendant has gone missing in Canada, marking the second such incident within a week amid the nation’s deepening economic turmoil.
Late on Thursday, steward Jibran Baloch slipped away after landing in Toronto, failing to report for the return PK-792 flight to Pakistan. PIA staff found his hotel room vacant.
This follows last week’s mysterious vanishing act by PIA air hostess Maryam Raza, who left behind just her uniform and a terse “Thank you, PIA” note after arriving in Canada.
The back-to-back disappearances point to a worrying new trend – Pakistan’s crisis-weary cabin crew seeking refuge and better fortunes abroad, likely via asylum claims upon landing in Canada.
According to UNHCR guidelines, asylum seekers can legally apply for refugee status in Canada if facing persecution or threats to life back home. Several Pakistani nationals have pursued this route recently.
While not explicitly confirming motives, PIA has acknowledged such incidents and attempted countermeasures like withholding staffers’ passports during overseas travel. But rules seem ineffective in deterring determined cabin crew.
The flag carrier saw at least four staff go missing in Canada last year as Pakistan’s economic woes, including crippling inflation and rising insecurity, pushed many towards desperate measures.
With no clear resolution, concerns are now mounting over PIA’s operations being disrupted by the stream of personnel defections on international routes.
As the crisis exacerbates workforce insecurity, could more such disappearing acts be on the horizon? Only time will tell if the airline can resolve issues pushing staffers to jump ship abroad.
