LAHORE: Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan has shifted the blame on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for seizure of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by Malaysian authorities.

While addressing a presser, Ghulam Sarwar claimed that the national carrier acquired planes on expensive lease during tenure PML-N tenure.

He further said that PIA was unable to pay lease on time due to coronavirus pandemic, but Malaysian court issued verdict without listening to the arguments of airline.

The national carrier presents its stance before London court on January 22 and in Malaysian court on January 24.

Earlier, a PIA jet was held back by Malaysian authorities in connection with British court case over the plane’s lease, the national carrier said on Friday, adding that it would pursue through diplomatic means.

The Boeing 777 aircraft was seized after a court order involving a $14 million lease dispute.

 “A PIA aircraft has been held back by a local court in Malaysia taking a one-sided decision pertaining to a legal dispute between PIA and another party pending in a UK court,” PIA spokesman Abdullah H. Khan said in a statement.