For the third time this year, a crew member from Pakistan International Airlines has disappeared during a layover in Toronto, raising concerns about Canada's asylum system being exploited by airline staff.
Another Disappearance at Pearson Airport
Senior flight attendant Asif Najam arrived in Toronto last Sunday aboard flight PK798 from Lahore and was scheduled to return to Pakistan three days later. According to reports from Dubai-based Gulf News, Najam never appeared for his return flight despite repeated contact attempts from the airline.
When finally reached by PIA officials, Najam cited "ill health" as his reason for missing the flight. The airline has since launched a formal inquiry into his disappearance, with spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirming that "action will be taken if he is found to have disappeared illegally."
Pattern of Disappearances Continues
Najam's case marks the latest in a series of PIA crew members absconding during Canadian layovers. Records show that between 2022 and 2023, eight PIA crew members failed to show up for return flights from Canada.
The trend has continued throughout 2025, with several high-profile cases:
- In October 2024, Mohsin Raza disappeared after arriving in Toronto
- In February 2025, Maryam Raza left her uniform in a hotel with a note saying "Shukria PIA" (Thank you, PIA)
- In March 2025, steward Jibran Baloch vanished from his hotel
Canada's Asylum Rules Under Scrutiny
Industry observers point to Canada's relatively lenient asylum and immigration rules as a primary motivation for these disappearances. The country's legal framework provides opportunities for individuals to bypass normal immigration processes and seek permanent residence through asylum claims.
Pakistan International Airlines has attempted various measures to curb the problem, including requiring crew members on Toronto flights to surrender their passports during layovers. However, these efforts have proven largely ineffective in stopping determined individuals from disappearing.
The repeated incidents have drawn attention to what appears to be an established pattern of PIA staff using their position to gain entry to Canada, then abandoning their employment to pursue asylum claims or other immigration pathways.
