ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel expressed concern on Wednesday over the alleged inappropriate conduct of Airports Security Force (ASF) personnel when scanning parliamentarians and passengers at Karachi’s airport and directed that the official concerned be summoned to the next meeting.
The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi to consider various privilege motions.
Senators Jan Muhammad, Dost Ali Jaisar, Saadia Abbasi, Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, Bushra Anjum Butt and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, along with senior officials, attended the meeting.
Taking up a privilege motion moved by Senator Zehri concerning the alleged inappropriate conduct of ASF personnel, the committee reviewed the response received regarding an inquiry report that it had sought last month.
The chairman informed members that a reply had been received, along with a report stating that the official concerned had been transferred from his previous posting to another location.
Senator Abbasi emphasised that the matter was not confined to parliamentarians but also concerned ordinary citizens. She observed that alleged misuse of authority and inappropriate searches of passengers’ belongings could create a negative public perception of elected representatives.
Senator Zehri expressed serious concern over the alleged rude behaviour of the personnel and underscored the importance of treating passengers with dignity and respect. She questioned the legal provisions under which the authorities were empowered to search passengers’ belongings, maintaining that such searches should only be conducted when required by security considerations and strictly in accordance with the law.
The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) senator noted that the initial response had maintained that all actions were taken in accordance with the law, while subsequent information indicated that the official had been transferred.
She stressed that the official should be summoned to present his position and explain the legal authority for such actions.
The chairman directed that the official concerned and other relevant officers be summoned to the next meeting, and instructed authorities to arrange professional training for airport personnel to ensure passengers were treated respectfully and dealt with courteously and professionally.
The committee had taken up the privilege motion by Senator Zehri in a previous meeting on Sept 11, regarding alleged misbehaviour by ASF officials during a check-in for Emirates flight EK-601 on July 24.
Senator Zehri told the committee that while she was travelling to London, an ASF official searched her hand-carry bag and questioned her about the cash she was carrying.
She said she offered to go to a side office to count foreign currency as per procedure, but the official instead opened her bag at the desk where three other bags were already open for inspection.
The committee at the time directed that an inquiry be completed within 15 days and that the officer found responsible be produced before the next meeting.
Sub-panel formed on PIFD row
The committee also considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Butt, who heads the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, against Hina Tayyaba Khalil, vice chancellor (VC) of Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), and two others.
According to the motion, a copy of which is available with Dawn, Senator Butt alleged a breach of her privilege and that of the Senate and its standing committee arising out of the conduct of the vice chancellor in connection with proceedings relating to matters concerning PIFD.
The motion alleged that the VC’s contractual tenure had expired in Dec 2025, but she continued to hold office.
It stated that the Senate panel on education had been examining matters concerning PIFD and required the VC to appear. However, the VC failed to appear, and her conduct required examination from the standpoint of the privileges and authority of the Senate and its committee.
The committee also expressed displeasure over the absence of Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and the secretary of his ministry.
Senator Mehdi observed that the officials should have informed the committee in writing of the reasons they were unable to attend. He noted that Senate members of the university concerned had previously been invited to attend a meeting through Zoom but had failed to participate, and directed that show-cause notices be issued to the absent members.
During the discussion, Senator Zehri sought an update on an inquiry assigned to Saleh Farooqi as inquiry officer.
Senator Butt expressed reservations about the inquiry procedure, alleging that teachers summoned at her request had faced pressure. She said that as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Federal Education, she had acted as facilitator and forwarded complaints to the relevant authorities.
Senator Abbasi informed the committee that a decision by the inquiry committee was expected the following day.
After deliberations, the chairman directed that a sub-committee be constituted to examine the matter comprehensively and summon 13 individuals involved in the case. The committee approved the formation of the sub-committee with Senator Palwasha as convener and Senators Dost Ali Jaisar and Jan Muhammad as members.
Pims conditions reviewed
The committee also took up a privilege motion moved by Senator Khan against Dr Sherjeel Zaheer, director of the Emergency and Accident Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), concerning alleged remarks following the senator’s social media post highlighting the poor condition of equipment and facilities.
The PPP senator said she had raised the issue after witnessing the condition of a patient who allegedly could not receive assistance due to non-functional equipment. Members expressed serious concern over cleanliness, patient care and administrative affairs.
The chairman directed an unannounced visit to the hospital, while also accepting a written apology tendered by Pims.
The committee also examined a privilege motion moved by Senator Khan against Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan concerning alleged unparliamentary conduct in a standing committee.
The two had been involved in a heated exchange during a December 2025 meeting over a question related to the construction of a road project.
Senator Mehdi said a letter seeking a response had been sent, but no reply had been received.
The committee expressed displeasure over the minister’s absence and directed that another letter be issued. The matter was deferred.