RAWALPINDI: An Airport Security Force (ASF) official allegedly involved in manhandling a passenger at Islamabad International Airport on Tuesday was dismissed from service after he was found guilty in the inquiry.

An official source confirmed that Mr Zia, assistant sub-inspector, manhandled a passenger, who was departing for abroad with his family and mistakenly attempted to use the staff gate of the airport.

Later, senior officials intervened and helped diffuse the issue between the passenger and the security official.

According to sources, an investigation into the incident was initiated to ascertain the facts which led to the unpleasant incident when several international and domestic flights were arriving and departing.

It all started when a passenger who was travelling with his family tried to use the staff gate of the international departure lounge. After an exchange of words between the passenger and the security official, a quarrel started between them.

In a video, an ASF official could be seen walking towards the passenger from the staff gate waving his hand during which the passenger could be heard saying: “Hold your hand saying to someone that he has been slapped by him”.

The passenger could be heard saying that when they were going back, why he slapped him. Other ASF officials could be seen taking away their colleague who allegedly raised his hand towards the passenger.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025