–Country’s biggest airport and staff unable to operate properly since launch
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ISLAMABAD: A new video of Airports Security Force (ASF) officials beating up and spitting on passengers at the Islamabad International Airport has surfaced on social media, sparking outrage.
The airport, which has been embroiled in issues one after the other since its inception, became a war zone as the two parties resolved to a scuffle after a connecting flight was delayed for over eight hours on October 17.
According to reports, a Peshawar bound flight from Riyadh was rerouted to Islamabad due to bad weather in Peshawar.
According to a social media user, Andleeb Sahar, who was on the PIA flight, the plane reached Peshawar on time but was rerouted to Islamabad after the crew cited unreliable landing conditions due to bad weather. The passengers were kept in an isolated lounge for around eight hours without access to drinking water.
Andleeb also added that the weather in Peshawar was clear as confirmed by residents on the northern city while other flights had also successfully landed at the Bacha Khan International Airport during the eight-hour delay.
Another anonymous passenger who experienced the situation as an eyewitness reiterated the same.
here are more details on the incidence at Islamabad airport :2 pic.twitter.com/7GhqHzHZ5h
— Dr Humma Saeef (@HummaSaif) October 22, 2019
The altercation began when the passengers began protesting due to not being provided with any information or answers to their queries.
The protesting passengers complained that they were repeatedly denied an answer as to why a domestic flight had been delayed for almost half a day whereas they were being kept in what seemed like a makeshift jail.
However, ASF officials who were sent in to resolve the situation and appease the tired passengers resolved to violence and were caught on tape while punching, spitting and throwing a chair on passengers who demanded relief.
A number of people criticised the unprofessional attitude of ASF staff on social media and questioned the inhumane conditions the travellers were kept in.
Several times I am ashamed by someone in the uniform than a politician. Recent example, ASF (we all know whose head is whom) at Islamabad Airport. What have we shallowed to? Down.
— Zorays Khalid (@zorayskhalid) October 23, 2019
You should arrange a bus service for the passengers instead of encaging them at Islamabad airport for hours. It’s only 2hrs by road to PEW, not a rocket science.
— Muhammad_Khan (@Muh_Khn) October 23, 2019
Renowned media figure, Fakhr-e-Alam also took to Twitter and called for the officials involved to be sacked immediately.
The ASF officers at Islamabad airport involved in violence against passengers must be immediately removed from their position along with airport manager. Stupid, incompetent people must not be allowed to hold any office or position to deal with public. Ridiculous.
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) October 23, 2019
Others pointed out how services at the country’s newest and supposedly best airport had remained sloppy since it began operations.
Islamabad airport staf is not competent … still one of the worse airports in the world … immigration counters are so slow … people by-pass lines if you have any links.
— Waseem Sajjad (@WaseemSajjad_) October 23, 2019
People also mentioned how the ASF and other such departments worked because of taxpayers money and were obliged to serve the public.
The shameful video clip of #ASF erodes confidence of expats & foreigners in #Pakistan. It also shows the discipline of a force who is taking their salaries from tax payers money. @MoIB_Official #Islamabad #Airport
— Hussain (@smoazzamhussain) October 23, 2019
Earlier in the day, a local media outlet revealed that those commuting via the airport were also being hoodwinked by tuck shop owners inside who sell common food and drink items at much higher rates than the notified retail price.
Additionally, the shopkeepers are not providing the customers with any bills receipts for their purchases.
