Pakistani air hostess goes missing in Canada; 2nd incident this year

PTC Web Desk: Maryam Raza, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cabin crew member, has gone missing in Canada, marking the second such incident in 2024. The trend of PIA staff disappearing in Canada began in 2019 and is attributed to the accommodating nature of Canadian law, allowing asylum applications after entry.

Maryam Raza, a veteran air hostess with 15 years of service at PIA, flew to Canada on flight PK-782 from Islamabad to Toronto on Monday. However, upon landing, she did not report for duty on the return flight, PK-784, scheduled for the next day. Raza's disappearance follows a similar incident last month involving another PIA crew member, Fazia Mukhtar, who also went missing in Canada after landing.

When the authorities initiated a search for Maryam Raza, they discovered her PIA uniform and a note reading "Thank You, PIA" in her hotel room. This marks the second such instance this year, raising concerns within the airline. PIA's spokesperson noted that this trend began in 2019, with at least seven cabin crew members disappearing in Canada while on duty in the past year.

Canadian Asylum Laws and Trend Analysis

Officials attribute the increasing incidents of PIA staff disappearing in Canada to the lenient asylum laws that allow for applications after entry into the country. This trend has been on the rise, with instances dating back to 2019. The accommodating nature of Canadian law is believed to be encouraging PIA crew members to seek asylum upon landing.

In November last year, two senior flight attendants, Khalid Mehmood and Feda Hussain, vanished in Canada after arriving on PIA flight PK772 from Islamabad to Toronto. The PIA management has been actively coordinating with the Canadian authorities to address this issue and prevent future occurrences. One crew member, who disappeared years ago, has reportedly settled in Canada and is advising others contemplating asylum.

PIA's spokesperson emphasised ongoing efforts to collaborate with the  Canadian authorities to curb the rising incidents of crew members seeking asylum. The management is exploring measures to ensure the safety and accountability of its staff during international flights, particularly in destinations prone to such incidents.

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