Intelligence Bureau, RAW object to Pakistan International Airlines offices in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Intelligence Bureau and Research & Analysis Wing have objected to Pakistan International Airlines owning immovable properties on Delhi’s Barakhamba Road, telling the government that Air India is not being allowed to operate flights to Pakistan and PIA may have Pakistan Intelligence officials working for it.

Sources in the government told ET that Finance Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi held a meeting on Thursday after PIA recently complained of harassment by Enforcement Directorate and the Reserve Bank of India for violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act for buying four flats and three underground parking at Barakhamba Road, in 2005, which houses the PIA head office.

IB and RAW have said they are opposed to PIA holding these properties and said the same cannot be allowed till the time Air India is allowed the same facility in Pakistan. RAW has pointed out that it has intelligence inputs to suggest that Pakistani intelligence officials were on the rolls of PIA and there have also been reports of a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist working for PIA in Karachi.