RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) station manager, assistant station manager and deputy shift manager at Islamabad International Airport (IIA) and the airport manager and two duty terminal managers were suspended and departmental inquiries were launched against them on Thursday.

The suspensions came after orders from Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to sources, the Airport Security Force (ASF) assistant sub-inspector suspected of manhandling passengers was also removed and an inquiry against him was completed.

Sources said two separate inquiries have been conducted and reports sent to ASF Headquarters for further directives. The inquiry report contained CCTV images and interviews of security staff and other agencies’ officials.

“The ASF official may face punishment as he is being tried under the Army Act 1952, because his actions cannot be justified,” a security official said, adding that the issue was not reported to higher authorities at the time because it was settled between passengers and security staff.

PIA Public Relations General Manager Abdullah Hafeez told Dawn that following the prime minister’s orders, IIA Station Manager Pervez Naseer and the assistant station manager and deputy shift in-charge were suspended and an inquiry was launched into the incident.

Airport Manager Tahir Sikandar and deputy terminal managers Zaheer and Malik Akram have also been suspended and an inquiry has been launched.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2019