Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Sunday said flight PK-581 from Multan to Karachi was delayed due to some technical issues.

Earlier, some media reports suggested that an engine of the ATR aircraft of PIA had caught fire, while the national flag carrier categorically denied any such report.

"Contrary to media reports neither of the two engines caught fire and pilots on the advice of ATC, decided not to take off and brought the plane back to the parking bay," reads a PIA statement.

A team of engineers was sent to Multan and aircraft would be made operational after its clearance, the statement said, adding, "On the directions of COO PIA, the plane has been temporarily grounded as a precautionary measure."

Passengers coming from outstation were being provided hotel accommodation till the next available flight, said the statement.

Meanwhile, sources told DawnNews that Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director General Air Marshal Retd Asim Salman has directed PIA to ground all its ATR aircrafts for inspection.