The egoistical ‘Don’t You Know Who I Am’ syndrome has become an obstacle to every security plan in this country.
LAHORE: Even frequent terrorist attacks have failed to wriggle us out of this deep slumber from which we are unwilling wake up and recognise lapses, accept responsibility or put in place a more credible security plan, executed by properly equipped and trained manpower, under strict regulatory control by men of integrity. Unless and until punitive measures are taken against powerful elements responsible for procuring defective or fake security gadgets, terrorists will continue to have a field day, with loss of precious life and assets worth billions being destroyed. If ASF’s bulletproof vests or potable scanners used to detect explosives in vehicles entering airports are defective and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) fails to ensure that Airline Operators and Ground Handling Agencies given permission to operate from airports are properly regulated or scrutinised and revenue from Landing and Parking Fee of aircraft is allowed to be pilfered, then disasters like recent attack on Karachi airport resulting in the loss of over 30 lives and further damaging our international credibility are likely to recur.
The only deterrence to institutionalised corruption is exemplary and quick punishments for those responsible for procuring defective material, and to arrest powerful individuals for their criminal negligence and willful violations of International Civil Aviation Organization recommendations.
Before the CAA embarked on the scheme for the promotion of new airlines, charter companies, and Cargo Handling Agents, it should have ensured provision of infrastructure for fighting emergency. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, principles like ‘conflict of interest’ are of no significance when appointments are made, nor in the working of regulatory authorities, making the whole setup a facade.
Just a cursory examination of Cargo Terminals at all existing airports will reveal their grave vulnerability. It was in Lahore, in 2013, that a pilot of the national airline, wearing a uniform, managed to drive his car, without any proper documentation or permission from outside the airport, through the cargo terminal right up to the aircraft and insisted on loading it.
All security firewalls seemingly collapsed. In every successful terrorist attack, attackers have worn uniforms, knowing full well that no law-enforcement agency would dare check a man in uniform, or anybody holding any public office. This egoistical ‘Don’t You Know Who I Am’ syndrome has become an obstacle to every security plan in this country.
Malik Tariq Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2014.
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