Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday submitted a report before the Supreme Court, confirming that two female passengers had admitted their part in the Islamabad airport ruckus that saw them physically manhandled by lady constables.

The incident involved a mother and daughter, Fozia Umar and Haseena Begum. Both hold Norwegian citizenship. The FIA told the court that in their recorded statements, both had conceded that the incident occurred when they lost their temper. However, the FIA went on to add that the three airport officials who had manhandled them had been suspended following an inquiry into the matter.

FIA Director Administration Ahmed Mukarram submitted the report in compliance with the directives of the chief justice, who took suo moto action on April 19. The report included witness statements, a copy of the FIR, CCTV footage taken from Civil Aviation Authority cameras as well as video clips pulled from social and electronic media. The FIA had conducted interviews of the two passengers in Peshawar, given the latter’s reluctance to return to Islamabad.

As per the report’s submission, the two passengers were scheduled to leave Pakistan on Flight No PK-771(Islamabad-Oslo). At the time of passenger pre-clearance, Lady Constable Noshila entered the washroom at the same time as the two women. According to the report, Fozia demanded that Noshila bring her tissue paper. This sparked a heated exchange of words, especially after the latter pointed out that this was not her job. This was met with verbal abuse. Noshila then returned to the counter to resume her duties.

“Musharraf Hussain (witness) who was travelling with a female relative fully corroborated Noshila Bibi’s version of event,” the report reads. It also asserts that when the female passengers had reached the immigration clearance desk (counter 10), Noshila left her station (counter No 7) and moved towards where the two women were queuing.

“The moment Fozia Umar put her passport in front of ASI Asma Khan [counter 10], Noshila Bibi immediately snatched it and tired to proceed towards the desk of the shift in-charge. However, Fozia Umar ran after her, trying to grab back the passport while verbally abusing and physically manhandling her. According to witnesses, Fozia not only unleashed a tirade of verbal abuse against immigration staff but also against the state of Pakistan. She was also provoking Noshila by way of objectionable hand gestures.”

The inquiry found that another lady constable, Ghazala Shaheen, had responded with disproportionate force when she proceeded to beat the two passengers in full public view. In addition, Inspector In-charge Nadeem Akhtar failed to report the scuffle to senior management in what was believed to be an attempt to protect Ghazala. The report confirms that Inspector Nadeem has since been suspended, while recommending that the same be done to LC Noshila. The charges against her are: unnecessarily taking hold of the passport and leaving her counter unattended, both of which paved the way for the altercation to turn physical.

After going through the report, the chief justice adjourned the hearing for May 4.