ASF Officials Summoned for Misbehaving With Passengers at Airport

The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges met in Islamabad to address allegations of improper behavior by Airports Security Force (ASF) personnel during passenger screenings at Karachi's airport. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri moved a privilege motion, highlighting the misconduct of ASF personnel while scanning parliamentarians and passengers.

The committee reviewed an inquiry report, and the chairman informed members that the official responsible had been reassigned. Senator Saadia Abbasi stressed that the incident affected both ordinary citizens and parliamentarians, warning that such misuse of authority could harm public perception of elected representatives. Senator Zehri questioned the legal framework for passenger searches, emphasizing they should only be conducted when necessary and in accordance with the law.

She urged the official to provide his perspective on the legal basis for these actions. The committee decided to summon the official and other relevant officers to the next meeting, and authorities were instructed to provide training for airport personnel to ensure respectful treatment of passengers. The incident had previously been raised by Senator Zehri in a previous meeting on September 11, following an alleged search of her hand-carry bag and questioning about cash during a flight check-in on July 24.