FBR freezes PIA accounts for non-payment of tax

Islamabad: The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Thursday frozen all the bank accounts of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for non-payment of taxes, reportedly.

According to media reports, PIA has 28 accounts in banks across the country. The airline is in default of federal excise duty of Rs2.70 billion as it has not paid the amount taken from passengers for tickets to FBR.

A PIA spokesperson has confirmed the freezing of bank accounts by the FBR.

On the other hand, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has also issued a warning to halt fueling PIA planes and has demanded immediate payment of dues of Rs1.5 billion from the airline.

Aviation experts said that it is strange to freeze the accounts of PIA during the audit of European Union agency International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA).

It has also been reported that PIA flights to Europe and UK will be restored after passing the audit.