LAHORE: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday launched an inquiry after Australian journalist Dennis Freedman accused that an immigration official at the Allama Iqbal International Airport demanded money from him for facilitation.

Freedman who came here in connection with the Pakistan Super League had uploaded a video on the social media from Australia, saying a ‘plainclothes officer’ at Lahore airport facilitated his immigration process but asked for money in return.

Titled “My story of corruption in Lahore”, the Aussie writer who described it as a ‘bad side of Pakistan’ said he did not want to shame or get this guy in any trouble.

“What I want is some education. I made a mistake but the best way to deal with this would have been if I had held my ground and said no,” he said and added that next time he would report such behaviour to anti-corruption authorities.

The sports journalist further said he was standing in a long queue when the ‘plainclothes officer’ walked up to him and offered him to take him to the quick lane.

“I thought perhaps ‘gora’ (white skin) card kicking and my passport stamped in a few seconds. Afterwards he asked for money and I gave him Pakistani currency – a few rupees (Rs350) which I left with me, a few dollars worth. It was embarrassing.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly taken notice of it and directed the authorities concerned to look into the matter.

A source told Dawn that the CAA had identified the ‘plainclothes officer’ through a CCTV. “It happened to be a waiter of the lounge of club/business class passenger who took him there after getting him facilitated at the immigration. The waiter told the probing team that he served snacks in the lounge and the Aussie journalist gave him Rs350 as tip. He denied that he sought bribe,” he said.

The CAA has cancelled his airport card and is further investigating.

Meanwhile, Secretary Aviation Hassan Nasir Jamy has directed the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure the safety of all personnel working at the airports in view of the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan.

“Health officials of CAA have been directed to screen all personnel, irrespective of the agency. In addition, all the personnel exposed to the passengers must ensure wearing of masks and gloves to rule out possibility of infection.”

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2020