Senate panel flags ASF conduct

ISLAMABAD:

A Senate committee on Wednesday raised concerns over allegations of misconduct by Airports Security Force (ASF) staff while screening lawmakers and other travellers at Karachi airport, and called for the relevant official to attend its next meeting.

The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges convened in Islamabad, with Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi presiding, to review several privilege motions.

The committee took up Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri's privilege motion over the alleged misconduct of ASF personnel and considered the response to its request for an inquiry report made last month.

Senator Mehdi told members that the reply included a report confirming the transfer of the official in question to another posting.

Senator Samina voiced concern over the alleged misconduct of ASF personnel, stressing that passengers must be treated with dignity and respect.

She questioned the legal basis for searching passengers' belongings, arguing that such checks should be carried out only when security needs warranted them and in compliance with the law.

She said the initial response had justified the actions as lawful, but a subsequent report confirmed the official's transfer to another posting.