I once flew with PIA and that was my last time. Emergency landing after a few hours of circling above Istanbul. No status update nothing. Eventually when the plane landed after almost falling apart people had to stay in the airplane without any notice for at least 4 hours. No air conditioning. No water. Nothing. People got angry and started walking towards the cockpit. Finally an explanation was given that a crucial part of the plane had broken and was being flown in from Pakistan including engineer. The Turkish engineers were asking premium for repair. Passengers including women and children were told they had to wait in the plane until next day without air conditioning LOL Naturally, all passengers got angry and wanted a hotel. After much ruckus the crew allowed us to exit the plane. Here is what happened next. The pilot and cabin crew left for hotel and left us behind on Istanbul airport. No hotel. No food. Nothing. Our flight also had Japanese and other foreign guests visiting Pakistan. You can imagine the embarrassment. They didn't know what was happening and we had to explain them in English. Next the passengers got into a heated discussion with Turkish authorities at the passport gate where they dumped us. The Turkish authorities couldn't speak English. After a heated altercation they allowed us to enter the airport. Finally we could walk around instead of being caged in a confined place. Above all, women and children could walk around and lie down. Next morning the pilot and his crew came along to continue the flight after the plane had been repaired. The passengers grabbed him by his neck and ARY was recording it live. The whole thing was reported on TV.
PIA represents what Pakistan is today. Let's call it by its name. A failed country with failed institutions. If it was up to me I would keep my children far away from Pakistani culture. There is nothing good to be learnt here. I don't want my children to face embarrassment and headaches. Something I had to face my whole life. My parents taught me about Pakistan. They taught me patriotism and the language. They were wrong. Everything Pakistani reeks with corruption and nastiness. Every move and every thought that enters our minds is related to corruption. Even at a time when humanity should be shown we misuse that opportunity for personal gain. That is how I have experienced Pakistan.
Alhamdulillah. I bought a house in Turkey and that is where my children will visit. That is their home. No country is perfect, but as expats taking your children to Pakistan is something we must think thrice. A hazardous country with generally hazardous people. The only places that I will visit in Pakistan are Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan. That too with other airlines.
