KARACHI: Pakistan’s aviation secretary has ordered an inquiry into an incident where an Airport Security Force (ASF) official cut the hair of a woman pilgrim. The incident occurred at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi and involved Ms. Seema Bano, who was traveling with her husband, Muhammad Shafi Ahmed, on June 1.
According to a notification from the aviation ministry, ASF officials stopped Bano and her husband for a search at the international departure area. Despite receiving clearance from the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), an ASF staffer became suspicious of Bano and cut her hair.
The inquiry aims to determine if the ASF official acted within established protocols or overstepped their authority. The aviation secretary has formed a four-member Board of Inquiry (BoI) to investigate the matter. The board is led by Khurram Shehzad Warraich, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, and includes M. Arsalan Khan, a section officer at the Ministry of Aviation; Wing Commander (retd) Jamal from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority; and Khalid Hussain, deputy director of Appeals and Regulations at the ASF.
The BoI will investigate the incident, review passenger screening procedures, and assess the responsibilities of government entities involved in passenger screening. The board is required to submit its findings within two working days.
