FIA immigration officer suspended over scuffle with passenger

On protest by passenger, immigration officer allegedly tore visa page of passport

LAHORE: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration officer who had allegedly misbehaved with a passenger and tore his passport at Multan International Airport was suspended and an inquiry has been initiated against him.

Multan FIA director suspended the officer and started an inquiry on the incident. During a routine check, the passenger started coughing when his spit fell on the immigration officer.

In response to this, the immigration officer, not only exchanged harsh words with the passenger but also attempted to seize his passport.

On protest by the passenger, the immigration officer returned the passport after allegedly tearing out the page where the passenger’s visa was stamped. Reportedly, the officer also pushed the passenger out of the immigration hall, forcefully.

After the incident, the passenger launched a complaint on PM Complaint Cell and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

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CAA initiated the investigation and after the initial inquiry, the officer named Abu Bakar was suspended from the service. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against him.

The FIA immigration staff at the airport took notice of the incident that happened with the passenger, Dr Faisal, who recently returned from Germany after obtaining his PhD.

Dr Faisal registered a complaint about the incident and sent a video clip, in this regard, to CAA. He also posted footage of the incident on social media, to which the CAA took notice.

FIA Director Humayun Masood Sandhu has started the inquiry and immediately suspended the accused officer. Further action will be taken against the accused.

Inquiries have also been conducted regarding footages taken by airport security forces at the airport. Statements of other FIA immigration officials, civil aviation officials, customs, and other airport security force personnel, currently on duty, have been taken. After completion of this report, findings will be sent to the FIA director general.

In the previous year, there have been multiple incidents of unprofessional behaviour by immigration staffers at airports in Islamabad and Peshawar, which were reported by passengers.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2020.