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Pakistan International Airlines' Bank Accounts Frozen Over Unpaid Dues

This isn't the first instance of the state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) experiencing financial issues. In May, a PIA aircraft was seized by Malaysian authorities over unpaid dues.
Sputnik
Bank accounts of Pakistani airline operator PIA were blocked by the country's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) over non-payment of taxes that run into billions of PKR, local media reported on Thursday citing an official.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan stated that the top brass of the airline was in constant touch with the revenue collecting body over the matter and hoped that the issue would be resolved soon.

However, he emphasized that the development had not impacted PIA's flight operations, and the airline was carrying out routine activities without any hindrance despite its frozen accounts.
As per a Pakistani publication, PIA's unpaid taxes stood at around PKR 2.8 billion ($10 million). But the national carrier has challenged the amount, claiming it only owed PKR 1.3 billion ($4.5 million) in taxes.

On the other hand, a union of PIA's employees has rejected Shehbaz Sharif-led government's plan to restructure the carrier.
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With the state of Pakistan's economy in dire straits, and the airline becoming a financial liability on the state exchequer, Islamabad has proposed to split it into two entities.

In the first quarter of 2023, PIA's losses stood at PKR 38 billion ($132 million) after witnessing a 171 percent jump compared to last year.

But the PIA Officers Association, the apex body of the organization's employees, is not on board with the proposed restructuring of the airline.

On Wednesday, Aqeel Siddiqui, the president of the PIA Officers Association demanded an immediate hike in the salaries of all employees, dismissing the government's action plan for the revival of the carrier.

Previously, the Pakistan government announced the formation of a committee led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to speak with all stakeholders before finalizing the restructuring of the airline.
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