For the last two decades, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Whenever PIA is in news, it is either a new scandal or a story of mismanagement in its operations. The recent media reports reveals that management of PIA has been facing an acutely embarrassing and uncomfortable situation due to the recovery of over 27 kilogramme of heroin by Customs officials from an aircraft of the national carrier during an intelligence-based raid at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The illegal substance was concealed in nine packets that were placed in the lavatory of the plane. This is not the first time that a banned substance was found on a PIA plane. Cases have been reported in the past regarding the smuggling of illegal drugs using similar means. The affairs of PIA have been in a mess for the last many years but the concerned authorities have failed to take remedial measures. Delayed flights, near mishaps, overloaded aircraft, pilots reportedly flying in a state of inebriation, crude behaviour by cabin crew, lackadaisical in-flight service, rundown interiors, and complaints about substandard food have become its hallmark. The severe financial crunch PIA has faced for a long time is not a secret. It has been reported that PIA has been running into deficit for the last 16 years, and the yearly deficit is over 20 billion rupees. Like other state-run entities, government has miserably failed to improve PIA’s standards, which has been in a shambles for a long time. PIA was one of world’s leading airlines until the 1970s, slowly and steadily it has managed to run its reputation to ground, and it is because of a series of unfortunate ineffective and myopic policies that has made PIA become synonymous with various controversies over the years. Though the bid to smuggle heroin has been foiled, yet it brings into focus the uncomfortable reality of what goes on behind closed doors of a PIA airplane, and for how long has it been in practice. Involvement of PIA staff in this criminal act is something that cannot be ruled out or closed eyes to, thus making a thorough investigation a prompt reaction. A proper trial should be held keeping in consideration the seriousness of the crime of narcotics trafficking and usage of state-run airline to carry out a crime that in many countries carry a death sentence. Reportedly, 90 percent of narcotics globally originate from Afghanistan, and the bulk of that is supplied to the world through Pakistan. Customs authorities should install more advanced detectors at airports, and have a unit tasked with collecting and analysing information on drug smuggling. They need to further strengthen cooperation with the police and other law enforcement agencies at home and abroad to crack down on drug traffickers more effectively. Efforts should also be strengthened to block attempts by individuals to bring in small amounts of illegal stimulants hidden in other items through international mail or other courier services. More serious efforts on part of the concerned authorities are needed to work out ways and means to keep PIA free from controversies especially those that tarnish its image at the international level. And that too mired in crimes that are harmful to people on multiple levels.*