Iran briefly held Pakistan premier's plane over payments, report says

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Iranian aviation authorities refused to release Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's aircraft during his visit to Tehran last month, in order to force Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to clear an outstanding payment, media reported Wednesday.

Dawn newspaper, citing correspondence between PIA officials, reported that the incident took place on May 12, during Sharif's official visit to Iran.

Iran Air officials responsible for handling his flight were annoyed at PIA's failure to clear a payment of 5,646 dollars, which was four-months overdue, the report said. The officials reportedly warned that they would not release Sharif's aircraft until the amount was paid. To avoid embarrassment, PIA cleared the dues on May 12 itself. Dawn reported that the prime minister was not informed about the incident.

The outstanding payment related to an emergency landing on January 18. A PIA flight from London to Karachi had to land at Tehran airport because a passenger fell seriously ill.

The payment of more than 5,000 dollars was for landing, parking and fueling the aircraft. Iran Air also took care of arrangements such as an ambulance to take the passenger to hospital. PIA spokesman Mashhood Tajwar said we wasn't aware of the incident.

http://www.gulf-times.com/pakistan/186/details/394848/iran-briefly-held-pakistan-premier%27s-plane-over-payments,-report-says