Pakistan says India harassing our national airline PIA

[Abdullah]

Times of India published this NEWS on Jan 18, 2015, 02.48 AM IST.

India harassing our national airline: Pak

NEW DELHI: In this winter chill in India-Pakistan relations, there's another storm quietly building up. Pakistan has alleged that its national carrier PIA is being harassed by Indian authorities for "illegal" purchase of properties in violation of RBI guidelines in an attempt, it said, meant to force PIA to shut its India operations and prevent people to people contacts.

The properties in question, 4 flats on Barakhamba Road, house the main PIA office in India. After it was served a notice by both RBI and ED, PIA has now replied saying that the flats, along with parking plots, were purchased in 2005 as per the Foreign Exchange Management (Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property in India) Regulations and that a declaration of the acquisition was filed with RBI within the stipulated 90 days.

This, PIA claims, was even acknowledged by RBI then. The same declaration was made by Citibank through which the payment for the properties was made. PIA has asked RBI and ED to immediately withdraw their notices "in larger interests of people from both countries'' saying these were hampering its operations here.

PIA operates a weekly flight to Lahore and Karachi from Delhi and twice to Karachi from Mumbai. It has had its office in India since 1976. ?PIA, according to Pakistan, will not give in to any "intimidation" and will not stall operations until it is specifically asked to do so by India.

Pakistan officials said that the visa of PIA's chief here had not been extended and that even his mobile phone had been disconnected by indian authorities. "It reflects a malafide intent to stop PIA operation and cause a blow to people to people contact. If PIA shuts down, people in northern India may still travel to Pakistan through Wagah but it will greatly inconvenience those in other parts of the country," said a Pakistan official.

PIA and Pakistan government officials are wondering as to why this issue of violation of RBI guidelines? has come up only 10 years after the purchase of the flats. The obvious inference on their part is that the development may be related to the change of dispensation in India with the Narendra Modi led government taking a more hardline position on issues related to Pakistan.

The first notice to PIA was sent in November 2014. Indian government officials said they had nothing to do with the notice to PIA. According to Indian officials, it is Pakistan which has consistently glossed over the significance of connectivity and better people to people ties by not fulfilling its promise to grant India non discriminatory market access, in return for India's MFN status to Pakistan, and open Wagah border for trade.

Indian officials said it was Pakistan which had delayed the signing of a motor vehicles agreement which would have facilitated free movement of commercial vehicles across Saarc countries. While India cancelled the foreign secretary-level talks last year after Pakistan high commissioner decided to meet Hurriyat leaders, PM Nawaz Sharif's adviser Sartaj Aziz again said last week that Pakistan was not going to hold any dialogue with India without Kashmir on agenda.

>>> Times of India

[Abdullah]

As per this link, Indian authorities ordered to close PIA office in New Delhi (India) and official to leave the country.

Screenshot>>

[Abdullah]

Further details on this link.

[furqan_haider]

India got a vigorous reaction (at last) at border earlier this month, now they are showing their malignity in this way... This will continue unless and until our Govt. show some GHAIRAT and SHARAM like Pak Army did ...

[ammad]

Not a good sign. Read some where that this notice is about to a property deal which was executed 10 years ago, not sure why this issue is ramping up again. Wondering what are the options Pakistan have? Imposing restriction on Indians carriers to overfly Pakistani Airspace might square this.

[A310]

Not a good sign. Read some where that this notice is about to a property deal which was executed 10 years ago, not sure why this issue is ramping up again. Wondering what are the options Pakistan have? Imposing restriction on Indians carriers to overfly Pakistani Airspace might square this.

KUL, KTM and DAC bound PIA flights will have to take a very long route then. India will be one up again.

[Khan747]

Beside topic, a TRUE LOVE for Pakistan reflected in comments section of this page. Sick mentality.

[ammad]

Beside topic, a TRUE LOVE for Pakistan reflected in comments section of this page. Sick mentality.

I want to rephrase it,

Beside topic, a TRUE LOVE for Pakistan reflected in comments section of this (Indian NewsPaper website) page.

[Abdullah]

Over this link,

Screenshot>>

[riz]

Not a good sign. Read some where that this notice is about to a property deal which was executed 10 years ago, not sure why this issue is ramping up again. Wondering what are the options Pakistan have? Imposing restriction on Indians carriers to overfly Pakistani Airspace might square this.

KUL, KTM and DAC bound PIA flights will have to take a very long route then. India will be one up again.

Did you consider how it will affect AI operations?
I dont have much idea how flight routing works but it will surely affect their westbound / mid east. routes.

[Abbas Ali]

PIA Flights for New Delhi to Continue

Lahore, January 19, 2015: There's no imminent threat to close PIA’s flight operations to New Delhi.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been maintaining its offices and business in Delhi for more than three decades. In 2005, PIA acquired immovable property in New Delhi for the purpose of running its offices. PIA had completed all necessary formalities for the acquisition of these properties.

After a period of over nine years, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through letter dated November 24, 2014, had objected that PIA purchased these properties in New Delhi in 2005 without permission of RBI.

PIA is taking all necessary measures to safeguard and protect its assets and there is no imminent threat to close PIA’s flight operations to New Delhi as highlighted in the section of press.

Source: PIA Press Release (January 19, 2015)

[Abbas Ali]

Presently, PIA is operating flights for Delhi from Karachi and Lahore.

* From Karachi to Delhi once-a-week every Monday.
* From Lahore to Delhi once-a-week every Wednesday.

Abbas

[Abdullah]

@Abbas Ali

Can you please tell me how to approach PIA Press Releases?

[Abbas Ali]

^ Please contact PIA Public Relations department to get press releases.

BTW, PIA should also post press releases on airline's official website on regular basis like some of the other airlines do.

Abbas

[Abdullah]

Got it, but didn't find out of this on official website >> http://www.piac.com.pk/pia_about/pia-ab ... elease.asp

Please let me know proper link, if it is wrong.