ISLAMABAD: German national Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Bernd Hildenbrand, who went abroad under a special exemption as he was facing corruption charges, has not yet returned to Pakistan.

Hildenbrand, who had been found involved in serious allegations of mega corruption, was given special exemption to fly abroad for a month in the first week of May this year.

He was allowed to travel abroad despite having his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Hildenbrand was under investigation over corruption charges worth billions of rupees and was facing forced leave from his position. The Ministry of Interior had granted him a one-time permission to fly abroad for 30 days.

“It has been decided to allow a one-time permission to Bernd Eugen Hildenbrand, a Deutsch national and holder of Passport No C8W917M2F, to travel abroad for a period of 30 days from the date of departure,” a memorandum by the Interior Ministry said.

Hildenbrand was supposed to come in the first week of June. However, it is learnt that he has not returned to Pakistan to face investigations.

The interior ministry has barred PIA’s ex-CEO from travelling abroad on March 16 and put his name on the ECL.