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FBR freezes PIA accounts. According to sources on Wednesday night, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) bank accounts all frozen by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) due to unpaid taxes.
The national carrier has faced financial challenges in recent years as a result of poor money management, an increase in operating expenses, and a rise in fuel prices.
Concerns about the PIA’s adherence to global safety standards have also resulted in temporary bans and restrictions on Pakistani airlines in a number of nations.
In response, the national flag carrier asserted that despite the freezing its accounts, flights unaffected.
According to sources who spoke to Geo News, a number of domestic and international flights either canceled or delayed.
According to sources in the FBR, the PIA had collected $4 billion in federal excise duty through plane tickers but had not yet paid it.
After all bank accounts frozen, PIA had trouble paying for the fuel for its aircraft because, according to sources, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) refused to provide it.
Several flights delayed or cancelled, according to sources, as the national carrier unable to procure fuel in time:
- PK-370 — Karachi to Islamabad
- PK-306 — Karachi to Lahore
- PK-350 — Karachi to Peshawar
- PK-310 — Karachi to Quetta
- PK-302 — Karachi to Bahawalpur, Lahore
- PK-309 — Islamabad to Karachi
- PK-330 — Karachi to Islamabad
- PK-739 — Multan to Jeddah
- Karachi to Rahim Yar Khan
In response, the airline contacted the government to request that the tax agency unfreeze its accounts, according to a spokesperson for PIA who spoke to Geo News.
The spokesperson stated that “all aerial operations continued” despite the obstacle.