Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has sold engines of aircraft, worth over one million dollars, while stealing from luggage of passengers traveling on the airline has become a routine matter. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said this on Friday while chairing proceedings of the House during the Question Hour.
He had directed the Aviation Division to submit the details of pilferage or stealing of baggage from different flights of the PIA during last year and the same has been submitted to his office by the Aviation Division. The speaker said the report is being distributed to the members to suggest action against the culprits who incurred losses to the national exchequer.
He said that the PIA has sold engines worth over one million dollars, adding that disappearance of a plane recently is a criminal offence and one of the responsible persons of the disappearance has been repatriated to his parent department.
The House was informed that stealing from luggage of passengers is not unusual in airline industry, adding unfortunately the PIA also is no exception. Dishonest baggage handlers are primarily responsible for such theft. However, thefts have also been known to occur at security checkpoints (not controlled by airlines) before the traveler even boards the plane, the minister In-charge for the Aviation Division informed the House.
Action was taken on October 30, 2015 against 18 baggage handlers, hired through contractor, in connection with a complaint about their involvement in suspicious activities including pilferage from luggage. They all were terminated from services and their airport entry passes were confiscated, he added.
The minister in-charge said that such complaints about pilferage from passengers' luggage are invariably investigated by the PIA Security Division. In some of the cases, no clue was found about the alleged theft, he admitted. However if it is established on the basis of CCTV footage or other reliable sources that the evidence against the accused baggage handlers is undisputed, they are placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings are initiated against them.
The House was informed that the police are also called for help and such employees face criminal cases in the court of law, while daily-wage baggage handlers face outright termination from job. The minister in-charge said that numerous measures are also being taken to prevent the stealing and this includes: surveillance of baggage handling/build-up area through CCTV, increased frisking/screening of baggage handlers through Airport Security Force, creating awareness among passengers to keep their checked bags locked and always watch their bags even if they are passing through the security scanners.
To another question, the House was informed that a total expenditure of Rs 144.605 million was incurred on repair, renovation and reconstruction of railways stations during January 2012 to December 2014. As many as 30 railways stations are proposed to be upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs 2972.95 million, and a PC-1 for the project is also under the process of approval, the House was further informed.