I boarded PK364 on Feb 25 from Karachi for Islamabad, checking in one soft bag and a carton. At Islamabad, when the porter put my bag on the trolley, I saw that the zip and lock of my bag was broken, and it was tied with a brown string. Lodging the complaint with the PIA staff present at the lounge, I was asked to open the bag and check the contents. As feared, my gold and silver jewelry pouch was missing. A formal complaint was lodged with PIA but after more than 24 hours, I have not heard from any one.
Though I did tell them that they could catch the culprits very easily as the ASF guy as you enter the lounge is the only one to see through the scanner what each bag contains. He must then be sending a word to his partners at the loading side where they had the time to identify my bag, break the lock and the zip, take the pouch out without disturbing any other item, then tie the bag with a string. The footage of my bag being scanned between 3 to 3.30 pm would be at the entry point. They could identify the guy who was on duty and get to the gang. But this takes efforts and willingness to catch a thief. If the whole system is involved (which seems to be the case as nobody has responded despite that the case having been referred to the highest authorities) then there is no hope for me to get my valuables back.
This apparently is not the first case, many such cases of bags being opened and stuff stolen have been reported. The response of PIA staff at Islamabad airport was the best: “You should not carry valuables in check-in baggage”. I think they should put up written instructions as well as make it known to all passengers travelling by PIA that please do not carry any valuables in your bags as our staff is most untrustworthy (rather we have thieves as employees).
I am very disturbed; the feeling that your baggage is so unsafe and can be stolen within the airport area is actually very distressing. Who can one approach? This is a big game with big players. Can anybody do something to catch the thieves?
TASNEEM AHMAR
Director Uks, a research, resource and publication centre,
Islamabad
