CAA starts probe into Aussie journalist’s allegation
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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
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Comments (93) Closed
Mar 12, 2020 09:01am
This happens all across Pakistan every day, but it takes a foreigner for the govt. to act.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:01am
Always happens at islamabad airport they always prey in young working foreign nationals
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Mar 12, 2020 09:10am
ANF officers in Islamabad airport also asks for money while checking luggage.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:12am
Corruption... Stamp it out... One case at a time...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Mar 12, 2020 09:18am
Why didnt you waited in the cue like other people , you think bcz of your colour you get priority over there. You benefited from it and now you shamming it being innocent and educating about corruption. How about to educate you about being discipline and stop your white supremacists mindset.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:19am
Our own vips (and every pakistani is a VIP in their own mind) cut the lines without paying. Is that not corruption? Will PMIK take notice of that too?
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Mar 12, 2020 09:25am
Why is this a surprise at airport. Every Airport looking out for a handout from desperate passengers. Passengers not even immune from Airline's staff.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:28am
Here we go, PUNJAB and its corruption. The journalist was wrong to accept the offer, but this plainclothes guy should be punished big time. Corrupt, liars, with no values. SHAME on these officers. This is a microcosm of PUNJAB. Sharifs have created with culture of slave mentality.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:30am
Take notice? What exactly happens or they do when they take notice? This i have heard happening only here
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Mar 12, 2020 09:32am
This Lahore business class club is not more than a joke. For twnty US dollars, what they serve is a rip off. They do expedite you through t the Immigration in order to get you to this club. If the guy demanded the money, then he should be punished.. If it was a tip, then he should let go.
Staff including immigration are very nice and do not bother you unless there is problem with the documents. I had a very pleasent experience at Lahore air port while visiting Pakistan after 19 years. There was definitely a change since last time I visited.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:43am
We the people do believe that Australian guy is telling the truth and we appreciate his coming forward.
Eradicate corruption and Pakistan will be prosperous.
Thanks Mr.Freedman.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:45am
Why CAA do not act when ordinary people complain about some of Immigration staff malpractices
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Mar 12, 2020 09:46am
I believe the waiter. His story seems more credible.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:51am
And who is surprised here. This has been ongoing for years and now that an Australian has reported this issue it is being investigated. Khan needs to listen to his own people.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:57am
Hope the camera is at the airport will identify and terminate the official followed by a good jail term. He put Pakistan in bad light. Let's give in something eh understands
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Mar 12, 2020 09:57am
Very well done. I am from Pakistan and proud, but these small ants make us embarrass. You clearly can understand that this tiny little person doesn't represent us at all. People like him are every where in all the countries and we are not an exception. On the other hand this is high time for Pakistan to employe people who have got some morals and represent our country in a better way. This issue should be dealt with stricter actions.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:59am
@Haseeb, indians are much worse at corruption..
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Mar 12, 2020 09:59am
Imran angry because he didn't get the cut
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Mar 12, 2020 09:59am
Airports need strict supervision to confirm no passenger is pressurised for any service or tips. Outside ISD airport, the parking lot area, many people ask for tips for small things like helping in putting a bag in car, even when their help is not sought by passengers.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:01am
Australians are no angles. David Warner, Smith, Steve brothers and etc. Go to England and see the reception these guys get. They can't accuse any English worker like this because they know they can get into trouble.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:02am
so the waiter was able to get the immigration official to stamp his passport faster. So the waiter and the immigration officer are both involved. See which immigration officer did the waiter took the journalist to. Suspend him as well.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:11am
Yeah catch the small fish and leave the big ones ...then wash your hands off...the small will dare to do it, only if the big ones are already in that league
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Mar 12, 2020 10:12am
The Aussie journalist proved in his story he always availed opportunity to make some sensational news by spending $2.18, He should have
not gave in the first place., the poor fellow may have impressions it’s a tip. Such a meager amount should not be an irritant to Aussie journalist at all. PM Imran Khan may direct CAA to give $200 to Dennis on his next visit, as compensation for inconvenience.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:14am
Thank you, Dennis for pointing out this corruption. This is a tremendous help to improve things in Pakistan.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:15am
@Haseeb,
Yes, IPL is the grand-dad of cricket corruption, Mr 'Haseeb'.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:16am
This is an eye opener, although our eyes are already wide open to this. This is a large scale problem and removing that waiter won't help. This is again ad hoc! The problem needs measures to erase this stigma for good! This happens to many people and they all need to come forward...
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Mar 12, 2020 10:17am
I have personally seen immigration officials “facilitating” Chinese visitors at Lahore airport.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:27am
Airports in Pakistan stands tall in asking for "Chai Pani".Anyone can guess from the faces of the person serving there.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:27am
Positive side is Pakistan willing to end corruption and taking action on every reports.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:32am
There is alot more story. Its not the single one.
Last time i visit office of SSP office for driving licence and the guy whom i consider helping me eaten my Rs.500. And didn't return my change.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:32am
And mr freedman did not think playing the gota card was corruption....convenient
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Mar 12, 2020 10:32am
It appears more to be a story of asking for a tip guess. Thats what the turn of events point to. Not bribery exactly.
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Mar 12, 2020 10:40am
@Javed, we do not count as human ...we are sub human in the eyes of international arena and subhuman within our own country...
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Mar 12, 2020 10:41am
To do a crime & deny is a classical sub continent trait
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Mar 12, 2020 10:57am
we should see both sides of the story. the "plaincloth officer" was identified as a waiter. and giving tips to waiter is no big deal. if the waiter side is true, this also exposes their mindset too.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:03am
It is normal thing, but the journalist create hype of corruption wrongly. He was in plain clothes and not a official staff of airport, journalist should not accompanied with him due to security risk. He only get money for his service, which prevent journalist to stand in long queue.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:07am
You are telling me the ordinary "Waiter" at airport has that much Influence that he can take a passenger all the way to the Front row and seat him at the lounge? money goes all the way to the Top!
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Mar 12, 2020 11:17am
Oh yes, he will take action only on their pointing a finger as he grew up amongst them.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:20am
I am so glad this Aussie has lodged this complaint and if CAA wishes- the punishment can become a precedence. It is so so so common that this innocent Aussie can not imagine.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:21am
A Fish stinks it’s Head first then Downwards
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Mar 12, 2020 11:22am
@Novoice, you imagine that Shehbaz Sharif or Bilawal Bhutto will stand in queues like us?
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Mar 12, 2020 11:26am
@Alih, nobody asked me any bribe anywhere else in world and travelling is my passion for my vacation times so have a good experience. This bribery system at airports is only and only in Pakistan.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:31am
@Javed, That is the reason the Brits ruled over the Sub-Continent for two hundreds years, (and still rule in many different ways) partially due to our mindset.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:41am
Come on, this is the norm. In the US they do it legally as what is known as Global Entry program (fee $100) and your security screening is expedited. The difference is immigration here, but that poor guy was just a waiter. Fix the system, and catch that officer who facilitated the immigration.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:49am
Well it happens a lot, immigration never takes money. It’s the customs officers that ask for money. These custom officers have civilian private gangsters in plain cloths that take the bribes for them. Happened to me when I came to Pakistan and I refused to give money and they dragged me to a room and tore my cloths. I refused and recorded the audio. They deleted my audio but I still have some pictures. They told me they would put drugs in my luggage and then I told them I will call Rangers for extortion.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:51am
In this case, it was only tip for service. Why make big deal out of it
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Mar 12, 2020 11:53am
I consider the journalist claim of bribing a Pakistani at the Lahore Airport as a cheap publicity stunt. The fellow helped him in getting the journalist passport stamped out of the line and he paid a tip. First of of all this high and mighty individual should have refused the help and stayed in line. The fault is his and not of the one who tried to help him. Imran Khan to me is still under the spell of white man.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:58am
Corruption is common place in Pakistan. Why we are so surprised!
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Mar 12, 2020 11:59am
Why PM had to take notice of it and direct the authorities ....?
Where were thousands of PIA and CAA authorities, were they sleeping?
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Mar 12, 2020 12:03pm
Common practice on all airports of Pak.
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Mar 12, 2020 12:05pm
Well what can you say, get duped by a waiter. He should not have jumped the cue, just up. I assure pak is not the only place, I had this in Mumbai, in 1998, and also in Thailand! Not an excuse, needs eradication by putting anti corruption guys. GBP 1.75 for getting ahead in the que!!
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Mar 12, 2020 12:14pm
Everyday happening in Pakistan. Roots of corruption are deeper in the society but perhaps more visible at airports - from a porter to custom officials - it is the same story.
Investigation should also cover why immigration staff entertain someone who was facilitated to jump the queue.
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Mar 12, 2020 12:29pm
I don't believe what he says.
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Mar 12, 2020 12:47pm
Such things happen all the time. I was asked for Chaey Paani by a custom official otherwise he threatened to go through the luggage. I told him that he wasn’t getting any and he could do whatever he wished. Nothing happened when I emailed the complaint office. Tolerating corruption nourishes it. It’s not one person, the airport is full of vultures.
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Mar 12, 2020 12:51pm
It’s a tip - not a bribe. He should understand that while visiting our country and not to make a fuss about it. Though it did get him good ratings! Which has worked well for him! As for the poor porter he lost his card and livelihood!
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Mar 12, 2020 01:01pm
The government must ensure that the incoming/outgoing passengers at the airports/seaport/land entry are properly checked for Corona virus and those with infection are not allowed to enter/leave the country.
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Mar 12, 2020 01:05pm
On every flights arriving at Pakistani airports we hear Loud announcements such and such person to contact CAA desk.What is this.Simply protocol and VIP service.I never heard these types of announcements on other international airports.
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Mar 12, 2020 01:11pm
It is very true to Islamabad airport and other airports, Karachi airport is probably a little more clean airport.
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Mar 12, 2020 01:18pm
It's everyday practice in every government department all over Pakistan. Peon to highest official, claim that it's their right. Where are solgan bloggers " Hum mulk sy corruption khatam kr dein gy"
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Mar 12, 2020 01:41pm
@George, how about educating yourself in the use of proper English?
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Mar 12, 2020 01:41pm
This never happens at Peshawar airport, since 1947 central punjab and its focal point Lahore looted rest of Pakistan we lost east Pakistan only because of Central Punjab.
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Mar 12, 2020 01:50pm
As if there is no bribery in Australia.
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Mar 12, 2020 02:07pm
such people should not be employed in airports what if he was a drug dealer?
I have also experienced a 'plain clothes officer' at Allama Iqbal Airport many years ago demanding a photocopy of my passport when I didn't have it, his voice and body language indicated he wanted money. However I stood my ground gave him nothing and went and got the passport photocopied even though it was a hassle. Pakistan needs better smarter security at airports to monitor all these types of staff. Who knows what they are letting through.
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Mar 12, 2020 02:15pm
Routine matters.!!
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Mar 12, 2020 02:31pm
For paltry sum of Rs350, Aussie journalist wrote a story. Had he been too principled, he should have declined the offer to help and stood in line as did the others. I only call him pen-happy.
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Mar 12, 2020 02:38pm
The foreign passport holders should be treated with respect and facilitated easier checking and clearance through a special passage. National passenger should be respected too (it is a business transaction) ,checked and cleared according to law of the land and any wrong doings should be reported in media and other avenues. To change things for better in any situation there is work and time involved. It is the personal hard work that kicks in and better results developed thereafter.
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Mar 12, 2020 03:24pm
There are quick line in western countries , with money and prior check people get approval. In Pakistan many things are free which cause long lines and than corruption. Government should start charging hefty fees for quick lines. It’s a Win win situation for both governments and passengers
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Mar 12, 2020 03:27pm
@Jibran Khan, asking for a tip? What for?
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Mar 12, 2020 04:30pm
@diplomat, Imran is not Nawaz Sharif.
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Mar 12, 2020 06:32pm
Why not to investigate the officers who let go looters of billions of Dollars of country on PKR 20 stamp paper?
It’s waste of time for PKR 350 given to waiter who must have shared with others and what is his salary? Even he might have this job by giving bribe to the person who employed him!
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Mar 12, 2020 07:47pm
It takes a white to do something about it.
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Mar 12, 2020 07:50pm
Welcome to Naya Pakistan!
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Mar 12, 2020 07:51pm
We do have problems in our country. These Australian are not clean. I remember once Australian cricket journalists who were residing in Lahore five star hotel brought flimsy charges against hotel management that later proved wrong. We have to respect our guests but not think they are superior because of their skin colour.
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Mar 12, 2020 07:54pm
@Syed Zafar Kazmi USA , yeah right. waiter speaks English and writer can't tell the difference between waiter and an officer!! Yeah denial at best
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Mar 12, 2020 09:56pm
The Lahore airport is a disgrace. I had somewhat similar experience over there. I wonder how those plain cloth people wonder around seemingly being helpful but asking for money. With tight security, they are probably part of the security apparatus.
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Mar 12, 2020 09:57pm
The lounge waiter do help to get your process done quickly. This has happened to us but we were happy to jump the line and later relax in the lounge.
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Mar 12, 2020 11:57pm
Why did you use the facility taking plain clothes officers help when the rest of Pakistan and other foreigners were standing in the que to get serve. So come out of your superior and arrogance behaviour just because you travelling to sub continent doesn’t mean that you should take the mick out of people and government here
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Mar 13, 2020 12:51am
Poor man will be fired now. Go home Aussie!
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Mar 13, 2020 01:43am
@Javed, How many did you report?
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Mar 13, 2020 03:19am
To the journalist its strange, for us pakistanis its the norm. Unfortunate but True..!
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Mar 13, 2020 03:22am
It's good that no one checked his baggage and steal something like generally the airport staff in Pakistan does. Thanks Dennis for raising this.
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Mar 13, 2020 12:16pm
Good record them and put them online enough is enough when I went to Xinjiang China on a business trip for my boss who is like an elder to me, but on my way back FIA people wanted money but they stopped as soon as I told them I will report them and they don't want to go that way with me.
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Mar 13, 2020 03:03pm
Both the bribe-giver and taker should be punished.
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Mar 13, 2020 03:57pm
A stunt to get cheap publicity and stay in the powerful multimedia limelight.
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Mar 13, 2020 04:16pm
If the will is there, then one can do anything.
Do we have the will?
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Mar 13, 2020 04:16pm
@CrisDan, I had this experience in Cambodia. It is immigration department who will ask tip just before stamping. I was shocked as we don't expect immigration to demand like this. It could be customs which is possible.
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Mar 13, 2020 04:51pm
First of all, no officer at the airport will settle for mere Rs. 350 to get any work done. I believe he was approached by the waiter to get his passport stamped faster and he tipped the waiter and now the tip is turned around as a bribe.
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Mar 13, 2020 04:52pm
They are making a mole out of nothing.
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Mar 13, 2020 05:42pm
All tipping on at least airports should be banned and service fee should be charged as they do in Japan. Tipping is actually dangerous, as the passengers may demand something illegal from the Service Staff at the airport.
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Mar 13, 2020 06:47pm
Same thing happened to me when departing from Karachi airport. The Janitor offers to help by taking me through the queue quicker and at the end requests for money. The immigration officer in their boxes are well aware of this and probably get a cut too I'd assume.
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Mar 13, 2020 07:24pm
Rs 350 is what, USD 2 ? All this for that little amount? Many times in the USA I would tip ten times that much.
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Mar 13, 2020 09:22pm
Your first error was to accept the offer from "plain clothes officer" to get to the front of the line. It would have never got to the point where he was haggling you for money, if you had just said no thank you I will stand in line like everyone else.
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Mar 13, 2020 09:32pm
PR 350 = $2
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