MHA opposed to Pakistani airliner PIA buying properties in India

NEW DELHI: The Home Ministry is strongly opposed to Pakistan's airliner PIA buying properties in India saying the neighbouring country had stopped operations of Air India through "nefarious" design and such facility should be offered only on a reciprocal basis.

In a report, the Intelligence Bureau told the Finance Ministry that Pakistan had forced Air India to discontinue its services to Lahore and Karachi through its "nefarious" design, leading to complete monopoly of services by PIA in these sectors.

Unless Air India services are restored and India's national carrier is allowed to buy properties in Pakistan, PIA should not be allowed to buy properties in India, sources said quoting the report.

Besides, the report said, there had been instances in the past when ISI agents were appointed as executives of PIA and they indulged in snooping activities in India.

The Intelligence Bureau also mentioned about an activist of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba working in PIA's Karachi office.

The report was prepared as government charts its next course of action in the case of alleged foreign exchange violations in purchase of properties in New Delhi by PIA.

Enforcement Directorate had last month issued a notice under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to the local office of PIA in connection with its purchase of six flats near Connaught Place in central Delhi.