A fresh audit report has revealed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suffered a staggering loss of Rs 9 billion due to the issuance of free and heavily discounted tickets over the past few years.
According to the findings, thousands of complimentary and underpriced tickets were distributed to officials, employees, and politically connected individuals, severely impacting the national carrier’s already fragile financial position.
The report highlights poor management practices and lack of oversight as key factors behind the losses, urging strict accountability measures to prevent further misuse of resources.
PIA, already grappling with mounting debts and operational challenges, has faced repeated calls for reform and restructuring. The revelation has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who blame mismanagement and favoritism for deepening the airline’s crisis.
Government officials said corrective measures are being considered to ensure transparency and to protect the airline from future financial leakages.
