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Islamabad airport's manager sacked after stray dogs spotted wandering premises
The airport manager of the Islamabad International Airport (IAA) has been dismissed after stray dogs were seen wandering the facility's premises on video, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
Footage obtained by DawnNewsTV shows a pack of at least five stray dogs roaming outside the airport's lounge in the basement. In a potential safety hazard, the dogs can be heard barking at passengers proceedings towards the parking with their luggage.
Officials at IAA told DawnNewsTV this was not a one-off incident; strays dogs have been spotted on the airport's premises regularly in recent weeks. They said frightened passengers have repeatedly alerted Airport Security Force (ASF) officials about the dogs' presence, but no action was taken.
That stray dogs have been able to come as close as the arrival lounge of the airport is proof of negligence on the part of ASF and CAA, passengers said.
Taking "strict notice" of media reports about the dogs' presence at the IIA, the director general of CAA ordered the removal of airport manager Asghar Faheem Khattak from his post and directed that an inquiry be conducted into the matter.
"The DG CAA... has issued orders to dismiss airport manager of Islamabad airport on an immediate basis," a statement issued by the authority's spokesperson said.
An official privy to the matter, while talking to Dawn.com, observed that it was primarily the responsibility of ASF to ensure the safety and security of the airport and passengers.
The official classified the incident as a safety breach on their [ASF] part that so many dogs were able to enter the facility's premises.
He wondered if unwelcome human visitors could enter the airport in a similar fashion as well, putting its security at risk.
Comments (44) Closed
I hope they didnt end killing those poor dogs. please hand them over to rescue
Good move! The officials should do their work with diligence. The conduct of the subordinate officers should be looked into as well. We must reduce the incidents of negligence at all levels.
Good and quick action
They should also keep a check on the airline staff issuing boarding passes. Each time I travel through ISB airport, there is some sort of airport tax levied upon me without a receipt. My extended itinerary from UK to CHina, Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan suffered only in ISB airport asking for more money. I am sure its some sort of corruption and I am going to report it to the concerned international airline (Emirates).
Incompetence galore!
Pakistani dogs they have as much right to be in the public area. Why remove the Airport manager, he did not invite them.
A completely pathetic & poignant situation wherein the running around on street and feeding on garbage have now visibly found a new sanctuary with courtesy of ASF and administration of Islamabad Airport. Since this is not one time event, one gets flabbergasted to read such happenings right under the nose of sitting govt. & indifference of those destined with security of this facility, treating this repeated incursions of stray dogs with laxity. Besides sacking of the airport manager, definitely a thorough overhaul of the whole security is direly needed & if required more terminations of negligent and inefficient staff to follow. On the other hand this event shows the decay and complete breakdown of administration relating to govt. institutions requiring an imposing surgical cure. The country’s bureaucracy needs to be pulled up to become more proactive / efficient & made to castaway its lethargic and do nothing attitude, through constant oversight of a committee appointed by the govt.
It is a joint responsibility of CAA and ASF for security of the airport.Why only CAA has been made responsible only.
Just five stray dogs ?
The sector I live in Islamabad, a herd of no less than 8 to 10 dogs freely roams in the streets. These dogs are a danerous nuisance for the pedestrians.
I have written to the authorities a number of times. No action has been taken.
Is this the responsibility of manager? There are security people ,civil aviation authority police Airport security? Why manager is targeted? Is there no common sense?
@Sami Ullah please don't mix up the issue.
Pathetic is not the word to describe this situation .Bad habits will die hard .
Thanks for firing Airport manager for the safety of our passengers and hygiene of area. This news should be in all newspapers to warn management, managers of government inst who draw a fat check to execute their duties earnestly.
This new airport is a dump. Poor quality building, fixtures and fittings.
If Dogs could get in,then so good terrorist ?Shameful security arrangements !
Both CAA and ASF responsibility.
I am speechless . Brand new airport after spending billions and this is the news you get to see . When will we get professional.
I am not sure if Pak gets any tourists but after seeing this I doubt anyone will like to visit
How are they allowed responsibility for managing an airport when they can't manage to keep dogs out?
Bad practice, let him fix the problem first. He is not personally responsible but but people reporting to him are responsible of making sure that dogs don’t find their way to the airport. No one should be sacked before finding the root cause of any problem.
People, not buildings make an airport. The old careless staff from the old airport is literally running this new facility into ground. The heaps of garbage are especially shocking.
Another safety hazard is going to the dirty new toilets.
How can the manager be held responsible. It’s just stray dogs
Why such quick dismissal? The Lahore International is the dirtiest airport, no soap, no papers in the toilet rooms. I had personally seen cleaning crew smoking in the toilet areas. There is also collussion between the porters and the booking staff as anyone with luggage hauled by porters goes direct to the front of line. Here, in this case, don't set a bad precedent, the manager's fundamental rights to fair hearing should not be ignored. Stop giving us surprizes all the time. We should follow the written procedure.
need to take action. It is 21st century.
this is overreaction. The poor guy lost his job
Of stray dogs are roaming in the new terminal; i can only guess how much of a security is being provided to the pasangers incase of a bomb threat.
International standard indeed.
Finally, I thought no one could take action against airport officials regardless of how much they loot passengers or destroy airport. Islamabad airport is the worst the officials there are so corrupt that they ask for bribes in front of their seniors and later they share it. If u are traveling and you don’t give bribes be prepared for hardship at Islamabad airport.
It would be in CAA's interest if the operation of the facility is farmed out to a reputable operator.
Problem is, airport is good but people are same. Nothing changed apart from building.
Good action taken by the authorities.if unknown person got into to the airport he can do ,what he want. So kindly treat the dogs humbly.
Funny!!
Where in the Pakistan are not stray dogs????
No big deal! It is common in Bangalore airport! Secular country!
This manager perhaps never did mention in his resume; when applying for this job; that he never had the experience of keeping away stray dogs from the airport area!!
@Amjad Durrani Engineer USA Well said brother. Inshallah!
Did the airport manager have anything to do with stray dogs? Airport manager should have been sacked with a few others in the maintenance for the poor upkeep of the airport. Many other flaws in the new airport.
what about the dogs present inside the airport who demands bribe?
Spending decades on making this new airport and awaiting billions of this poor country has not been able to make this airport worth for anything. Water ponds on the runways, garbage on the floors, unprofessional and unserious attitude of staff, laziness and stuberness in the body language of airport staff and more and more shows this airport sucks. Shame on the governments, politicians, planners, designers, managers, and everyone who was part of its development and its running. Learn from other countries how a service oriented airports are built and run. I personally and many people I know were very much disappointed by the airport.
Nawaz Shariff and family protesting to remove their names from ECL.
So now dogs do not have the right to travel? This is utter discrimination against man's best friend!
Airport Manager is not at fault that stray dogs came inside the terminal. Its the fault of the ASF security personnel manning the doors who should be sacked. The CAA must also be held responsible for approving such security measures. If dogs could get in so easily, so could terrorists posing as passengers. The security plan had failed, it must be reviewed and changed to make it 100% effective.
What a silly, cruel, brutal, fake and stupid joke?