PM orders suspension of Islamabad airport officials

E-Paper | May 07, 2026

PM orders suspension of Islamabad airport officials

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published October 31, 2019

Quarrel between passengers and the ASF staff started when the latter made an attempt to stop protesters stranded at Islamabad airport from leaving the lounge. Photo: Screengrab

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RAWALPINDI: Taking serious notice of maltreatment of passengers by the Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel at Islamabad International Airport, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ordered suspension of officials including the airport manager under the rules.

The incident happened on October 17, when a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Saudi Arabia to Peshawar was diverted to Islamabad due to bad weather. After landing at the airport, the passengers had to wait for several hours due to bad weather which led to their protest.

The quarrel between passengers and the ASF staff started when the latter made an attempt to stop the protesters from leaving the airport lounge as some of the passengers wanted to reach Peshawar by road.

Besides ordering their suspension, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the Civil Aviation Authority director general to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them for not dealing with the situation in a professional manner.

The prime minister also directed to suspend PIA station manager and his other team members who were on duty at that time. In addition to their suspension, a disciplinary action against them was also suggested.

A board of inquiry headed by Brigadier Irfan Zafar, director Airport Security Force was directed to initiate proceeding against the responsible officials of ASF under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 and to complete the proceedings within ten days from Oct 23.

Earlier on Wednesday, Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar had also ordered an inquiry into alleged manhandling passengers by the Airport Security Staff.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2019

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Zahid

Oct 31, 2019 09:37am

only an eyewash. As usual nothing will happen

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Guzni

Oct 31, 2019 09:39am

What we saw in the video clip was unacceptable from security officials.

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Danish

Oct 31, 2019 09:46am

Very good decision. Instead of suspending the staff they should be sacked from service and charged them harassing the passengers and and fail to provide customers services to public.

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yaqoob

Oct 31, 2019 09:48am

Beat them for coming back to their homeland. They are not welcomed but their remittances are welcomed.

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Sac

Oct 31, 2019 09:49am

Why is a PM getting into micro management.

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Oct 31, 2019 10:03am

Nothing on ground

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Fastrack

Oct 31, 2019 10:06am

Excellent IK. So far, swift and fearless action wherever the old system fails.

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sid

Oct 31, 2019 10:09am

Worry not, our beloved courts will come to the rescue and suspend the PMs order... That's what seems to be happening lately.. Makes me wonder if the government actually has any power?

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Adil Mustafa

Oct 31, 2019 10:13am

Why were passengers protesting during bad weather? are the authorities responsible for weather as well?

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Amir Ali Khan

Oct 31, 2019 10:46am

Sadly, a vast majority of us has no manners let alone ' professional manner '. Indiscipline and insensitivity can be clearly noticed every where in almost all walks of life.

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Muqali Khan

Oct 31, 2019 10:50am

This fiasco reflects lack of training of personnel dealing with justifiably irate public.

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Zahid Sharfi.

Oct 31, 2019 11:50am

Why it has to be the PM to take notice for action of personnel so much down the ladder The immediate Supervisor should have taken up the issue and recommended fair action, immediately. Thanks.

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Sajid Haider

Oct 31, 2019 12:27pm

This is really good news. Thank you

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Karachi King

Oct 31, 2019 12:28pm

Good decision...

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amin

Oct 31, 2019 12:46pm

Wondering why PM did not suspend Brigadier Irfan Zafar, director Airport Security Force in the first place?

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Oct 31, 2019 01:03pm

Nothing will happen to these security guys. They will gang up to protect their colleagues in crime.

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Bharat

Oct 31, 2019 01:06pm

An army soldier in charge .pakistan under military rule

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Waqas

Oct 31, 2019 01:07pm

Good decision showing sensitivity of PM towards the problems faced by common citizens at the hands of personnel from "uniformed" institutions. However, such inquiries are always conducted by neutral third parties which sadly is not the case here. Brigadier sahab heading the inquiry team should also be inquired himself for this occurrence.

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Jalbani Baloch

Oct 31, 2019 01:11pm

PTI Government has no moral authority to stop or lecture other parties on Dharnas, which generally cause great inconvenience and sufferings to the common people. It was PTI, which proudly says to have observed Dharna with consistency for more than 100 days in Islamabad, and now other parties are using the same tactics. In order to avoid sufferings of common people, it is suggested that all parties conference may be convened to discuss the bests and acceptable way to register protests with full media attention and publicity. In this regard, it is suggested that in each city, a space may be designated to allow the people to protest and vent their anger and submit their demands to the authorities concerned. The Deputy Commissioner of each district may be fully authorized to bridge a gap between the protesters and government and Dharna be given full media attention and publicity. I am sure, if this measure is adopted, a lot of inconvenience caused to the public will be reduced.

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Civilian

Oct 31, 2019 01:23pm

Why ASF officer ran away just after spitting, he should have stayed their so that Civilians could have taught him a good lesson.

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sarang

Oct 31, 2019 01:48pm

@Jalbani Baloch, Good suggestion

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Oct 31, 2019 02:26pm

Well suspension for Airport officials but what about Pakistani Awam who will never act like this in any country by Pakistan as they know other nations will not tolerate breaking of property or using profanity. Very sad behavior by airport officials as well both showed lack of patience human best virtue. Love you all.

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BTS

Oct 31, 2019 03:16pm

@Civilian, that will give them a taste of their own medicine one day.

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Ahmedj

Oct 31, 2019 03:21pm

Mere suspension of one individual doesn't solve the problem. ASF's background comes from a uniformed entity where customer service behaviour is their least priority. While the govt is trying to revolutionise tourism industry, ASF's reformation needs to be addressed seriously. To change their mental state, their camouflage combat uniform needs to be changed back to previous more traditional customer oriented navy blue and light blue trousers and shirt. Clothing has direct bearing on human behaviour.

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Pakistani

Oct 31, 2019 03:22pm

Pathetic situation at all airports of Pakistan. Islamabad international airport is the worst to goto everyone there is criminal trying to loot every penny from you.

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Suhail

Oct 31, 2019 03:24pm

Just like "Sahiwal Case" . Another drama

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Bangbang

Oct 31, 2019 03:29pm

Pakistan's law and order is spiraling down fast under IK.

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Justicefirst

Oct 31, 2019 03:32pm

We need very good training and standards of all those government servants who deal with general public in any place.

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say it

Oct 31, 2019 03:34pm

Good timely decision as it should be but hope it does not ends up like another Sahiwal case!

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saksci

Oct 31, 2019 03:39pm

All good jobs in Pakistani government goes to military officers; that is why all well educated Pakistan tries to find job overseas.

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LAHORI KID

Oct 31, 2019 03:41pm

It pains me to read such negativity in peoples comments, look at the positive side, life would be much better for you. Good day.

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Ahsan Gul

Oct 31, 2019 05:39pm

Good that PM initiated inquiry and action. Don’t be disappointed at least current government is different and pro active to resolve these issues.

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Zak

Oct 31, 2019 05:52pm

Sometimes the crowd becomes unnecessarily rude and crude to officials. If authority fails, then law and order breaks down. Why did passengers start breaking chairs and tables if the flight was delayed.

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qet

Oct 31, 2019 06:57pm

Why would ASF staff stop passengers leaving if they had cleared customs? Also why the PIA did ot offer them alternative accommodation or Transport? It is very bad for the country and PIA.

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Ajaz

Oct 31, 2019 07:43pm

You will find alot of these passengers show disrespect to staff because they feel they can push their weight around. They don't behave like this when they come back to the West. They only turn in to lions when they go to Pakistan but turn into sheep on return. They should respect Pakistani authorities as much as western ones.

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Asim

Oct 31, 2019 07:49pm

@Sac, exactly Sign of autocratic rule. There are or at least there should be procedures in place to deal with mishandling like this.

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zane

Oct 31, 2019 07:56pm

If the system was in place, the PM didn't have to intervene.

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Jay

Oct 31, 2019 08:24pm

This is the issue of lack of training. None of our institutions is equipped to train their staff with the public dealing situations, which may be their everyday job. Staff is used to act as strictly as possible to keep the discipline and contain the situation. What they don't know is that sometimes they need to make adjustments under the circumstances. The second issue is the absence of senior management in such situations. They leave it on the lower level staff and don't take any responsibility. The inquiry should be about the instructions given by the senior management in this situation and whether they were in touch about it.

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Dr Faazil Ahmed

Oct 31, 2019 10:00pm

I'm sure the suspension is only an eyewash by the incompetent PTI leadership.

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Dr. Farhan

Oct 31, 2019 10:44pm

Why is the government interfering. This issue is for the bureaucracy and they should be held accountable by the appropriate ministry This issue should be resolved by the ASF security chief and overseen by the interior ministry. If no action is taking place then the honorable PM should initiate suspension against the ASF chief and the interior minister and all those responsible (including PIA staff and all unruly passengers)who are unable or unwilling to take action. The PM should not be interfering in these matters, at this stage. His people (ministers) should insure issues like this are taken care of and do not happen again. Dear PM, please make Pakistan great again by making/strengthening systems and institutions, not by direct orders.

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Dr. Farhan

Oct 31, 2019 10:45pm

@Zahid Sharfi., Agreed 100%

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Fida Hussain

Nov 01, 2019 01:06am

Well done

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Imran

Nov 01, 2019 03:30pm

It's is about time the officials were taught a lesson. The PM should also apprehend these officials for looting outgoing passengers of their money.

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AHA

Nov 01, 2019 05:22pm

@Sac, because none of the state institutions work the way they are suppose to.

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Haris

Nov 01, 2019 06:06pm

@Adil Mustafa, the passengers have waited for hours and they only wish to travel to Peshawar by themselves which ASF and CAA don't wanted to happen for unknown reason.

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Zeeshan Ahmed

Nov 01, 2019 06:33pm

I don't see how it is anybody's business if a person chooses not to board a flight and wants to leave the airport.

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Shahzad

Nov 01, 2019 11:58pm

I live abroad and I'll be really mad if I was treated like this at an Int'l airport. No professional has any right to treat a comman man like this. These goons should be sent home forever, there is no ifs and buts about it.

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