PIA took 34 Indian passengers to a Pak hotel without visa: FIA

Islamabad, Oct 31: Pakistan's national carrier PIA allegedly took 34 Indian transit passengers to a hotel in Lahore to stay for a night though they did not have a Pakistani visa, prompting authorities to launch a probe.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said in a report that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crew allegedly took the Indians out of the airport bypassing the check points manned by FIA.

The Indian passengers flew from New Delhi on a PIA flight to Saudi Arabia with a stopover in Pakistani city of Lahore, an official said.

FIA alleged that PIA quietly transported them to a local hotel where they spent a night.

Initial reports show that the Indians were not having any transit visa and were not allowed to go out of the premises of the airport.

As per the law, transit passengers should remain within a designated area usually inside the airport.

However FIA refused to share the exact date of the incident while PIA did not return the calls.

PTI